Pollen Grain Structure and Diversity — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptYou will really be amazed at the variety of architecture – sizes, shapes, colours, designs – seen on the pollen grains from different species.
Which of the following statements about pollen viability are correct? S1: Pollen viability is highly variable among different plant species and is influenced by environmental conditions. S2: Pollen grains of cereals like rice and wheat typically retain viability for several days under ambient conditions. S3: Pollen from members of families such as Rosaceae, Leguminoseae, and Solanaceae can maintain viability for a period of months. S4: Pollen banks involve storing pollen grains for extended periods, even years, in liquid nitrogen at -196°C for crop breeding programs. S5: High temperature and high humidity are generally favourable conditions for extending the period of pollen viability.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: A — S1, S3 and S4 only
The question tests the understanding of pollen viability and factors affecting it. Let's evaluate each statement: S1: Correct. NCERT states, 'The period for which pollen grains remain viable is highly variable and to some extent depends on the prevailing temperature and humidity.' S2: Incorrect. NCERT specifies, 'In some cereals such as rice and wheat, pollen grains lose viability within 30 minutes of their release'. Not several days. S3: Correct. NCERT mentions, 'in some members of Rosaceae, Leguminoseae and Solanaceae, they maintain viability for months.' S4: Correct. NCERT states, 'It is possible to store pollen grains of a large number of species for years in liquid nitrogen (-1960C). Such stored pollen can be used as pollen banks... in crop breeding programmes.' S5: Incorrect. High temperature and high humidity generally reduce pollen viability. Low temperature and low humidity, or storage in liquid nitrogen, are conditions that extend viability. Therefore, statements S1, S3, and S4 are correct.
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Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 176 of the 180 ReNEET 2026 (June 21) questions were already in the MedicNEET question bank before the exam.
176/180MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.