Tissues – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
Class 9 • Biology
Chapter 6: Tissues — 50 Topic-wise MCQs
Instructions: This set contains 50 multiple-choice questions (A–D). Each question shows the correct answer and a brief explanation to help conceptual understanding as per NCERT Class 9 Biology — Chapter 6 (Tissues).
Topic: Meristematic Tissue & Growth
Q1. Meristematic tissues are mainly responsible for:
Answer: C — Growth by cell division.
Meristematic cells divide actively, producing new cells for plant growth (apical, lateral, intercalary meristems).
Q2. Apical meristems are located at:
Answer: A — Root and shoot tips.
Apical meristems at tips cause primary growth (lengthening of root and shoot).
Q3. Intercalary meristems are characteristic of:
Answer: B — Grasses.
Intercalary meristems at the base of internodes allow rapid regrowth after grazing or mowing, common in monocots like grasses.
Q4. Lateral meristem (cambium) contributes to:
Answer: B — Increase in thickness.
Cambium produces secondary xylem and phloem, contributing to secondary growth (girth increase).
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a feature of meristematic cells?
Answer: B — Large central vacuole.
Meristematic cells generally lack large vacuoles; they have dense cytoplasm and prominent nuclei for active division.
Topic: Simple Permanent Tissues
Q6. Parenchyma tissue primarily functions in:
Answer: B — Photosynthesis and storage.
Parenchyma cells often store food and water; chlorenchyma (parenchyma with chloroplasts) performs photosynthesis.
Q7. Collenchyma provides:
Answer: B — Flexible support to growing parts.
Collenchyma has unevenly thickened primary walls giving flexible support in young stems and leaves.
Q8. Sclerenchyma cells are usually:
Answer: B — Dead with thick lignified walls.
Sclerenchyma cells have thick secondary walls lignified for strength; often dead at maturity.
Q9. Which of these is an example of a parenchyma function?
Answer: B — Storage of starch in potato tuber.
Parenchyma in storage organs stores starch (e.g., potato tubers) and other reserves.
Q10. Which tissue forms the gritty texture of pear fruit?
Answer: C — Sclereids (a form of sclerenchyma).
Sclereids are hard, stone-like cells that give pear flesh its gritty texture.
Topic: Complex Permanent Tissues — Xylem & Phloem
Q11. Which of these is a conducting element of xylem?
Answer: B — Tracheid.
Tracheids are elongated, lignified xylem cells conducting water; vessels are another conducting element.
Q12. Phloem is mainly responsible for:
Answer: B — Transport of organic solutes (sugars).
Phloem transports sugars and other organic compounds from sources to sinks via sieve tubes and companion cells.
Q13. Sieve tube elements are associated with:
Answer: A — Companion cells.
Companion cells support the metabolic activity of sieve tube elements which lack nuclei at maturity.
Q14. Which statement about xylem vessels is true?
Answer: B — They are dead, hollow tubes facilitating water transport.
Xylem vessels are elongated dead cells forming continuous tubes for water movement.
Q15. The direction of phloem transport is:
Answer: C — Bi-directional depending on source-sink relations.
Phloem flow depends on the location of sugar sources and sinks and can move upwards or downwards accordingly.
Topic: Membrane, Transport & Vacuoles
Q16. Tonoplast is the membrane surrounding which organelle?
Answer: C — Central vacuole.
Tonoplast is the vacuolar membrane in plant cells separating vacuolar contents from cytoplasm.
Q17. Osmosis is the movement of:
Answer: B — Water from high to low water potential across a semipermeable membrane.
Osmosis describes passive water movement to equalise solute concentrations across membranes.
Q18. Which cell component helps maintain turgor in plant cells?
Answer: C — Central vacuole (with tonoplast).
Vacuole stores water, generating turgor pressure against the cell wall to keep cells firm.
Q19. In hypertonic solution plant cells:
Answer: C — Lose water and plasmolyse (cell membrane pulls away from wall).
In hypertonic external medium, water leaves the cell causing shrinkage of cytoplasm and plasmolysis.
Q20. Which transport requires energy to move substances against concentration gradient?
Answer: C — Active transport.
Active transport uses ATP to move molecules from low to high concentration via carrier proteins.
Topic: Animal Tissues — Epithelial
Q21. Which epithelium is best suited for diffusion?
Answer: A — Simple squamous epithelium.
Thin single-layered squamous cells minimise diffusion distance, ideal for gas exchange in alveoli and lining blood vessels.
Q22. Goblet cells are specialised for:
Answer: B — Secretion of mucus.
Goblet cells are unicellular glands in epithelial linings that secrete mucus for lubrication and protection.
Q23. Which epithelial feature increases surface area for absorption?
Answer: B — Microvilli.
Microvilli are microscopic projections that increase absorptive surface area, found in intestinal epithelium.
Q24. Stratified squamous epithelium is adapted for:
Answer: B — Protection against abrasion.
Multiple cell layers in stratified squamous epithelium protect underlying tissues from mechanical stress (e.g., skin, mouth lining).
Q25. Ciliated epithelium in the respiratory tract helps in:
Answer: B — Movement of mucus and trapped particles.
Cilia beat to move mucus upwards toward the throat, aiding mucociliary clearance of debris and pathogens.
Topic: Animal Tissues — Connective
Q26. Which of the following is a fluid connective tissue?
Answer: C — Blood.
Blood is a fluid connective tissue with plasma as matrix and formed elements (RBCs, WBCs, platelets).
Q27. Adipose tissue primarily stores:
Answer: B — Fat/lipids.
Adipocytes store triglycerides as energy reserves and provide insulation and cushioning.
Q28. Collagen fibres in connective tissue provide:
Answer: B — Strength and tensile support.
Collagen is a structural protein conferring tensile strength to tendons, ligaments and connective tissues.
Q29. Which connective tissue forms the framework of lymphoid organs and supports immune cells?
Answer: B — Reticular connective tissue.
Reticular fibres form a supportive mesh in lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow supporting immune cells.
Q30. Cartilage differs from bone because cartilage:
Answer: B — Has chondrocytes in lacunae and is flexible.
Cartilage has a firm but flexible matrix and is avascular; bone is mineralised and vascularised.
Topic: Animal Tissues — Muscular & Nervous
Q31. Which muscle type is involuntary and found in walls of hollow organs?
Answer: C — Smooth muscle.
Smooth muscle is non-striated and involuntary, present in walls of intestines, blood vessels and other organs.
Q32. Cardiac muscle cells are connected by:
Answer: A — Desmosomes and gap junctions at intercalated discs.
Intercalated discs provide mechanical and electrical coupling for coordinated heart contractions.
Q33. Neurons transmit signals via:
Answer: B — Electrical impulses and chemical synapses.
Neurons generate action potentials (electrical) and communicate at synapses using neurotransmitters (chemical).
Q34. Myelin sheath around axons primarily functions to:
Answer: B — Insulate axon and speed up impulse conduction.
Myelin enables saltatory conduction, increasing the speed and efficiency of nerve impulses.
Q35. Which muscle type is voluntary and attached to bones?
Answer: A — Skeletal muscle.
Skeletal muscle is striated, multinucleate and under voluntary control for body movements.
Topic: Practical Skills & Microscopy
Q36. Which stain is commonly used to observe nucleus in animal cells?
Answer: B — Methylene blue.
Methylene blue stains nucleic acids in the nucleus, making it visible under light microscope.
Q37. To measure cell size under microscope you need:
Answer: A — Stage and ocular micrometers for calibration.
Calibration with a stage micrometer lets ocular micrometer readings be converted into actual units (µm).
Q38. Which feature helps identify xylem vessels in a stained transverse section?
Answer: B — Hollow, thick-walled tubular elements often stained lignified.
Xylem vessels are lignified and appear as thick-walled tubes allowing water conduction; staining highlights lignin.
Q39. What is the ideal initial magnification to locate a specimen on a slide?
Answer: C — Low power (10x) objective.
Start with low power to get a larger field of view and focus, then move to higher magnifications.
Q40. Which one is NOT a safety precaution while using a microscope?
Answer: B — Start focusing with high power objective.
Always begin with low power objective to avoid damaging slides or lenses; other options are correct safety steps.
Topic: Comparison & Application
Q41. Which of the following correctly pairs tissue with its MAIN function?
Answer: B — Collenchyma — flexible support.
Collenchyma provides flexible structural support; other pairings are incorrect.
Q42. Root hair cells are specialised for:
Answer: B — Absorption of water and minerals.
Root hairs increase surface area of roots for efficient uptake of water and dissolved minerals.
Q43. RBCs are biconcave primarily to:
Answer: B — Increase surface area for gas exchange.
Biconcave shape increases surface area-to-volume ratio enhancing oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion.
Q44. Why are companion cells necessary in phloem?
Answer: B — They provide metabolic support and help load/unload sugars into sieve tubes.
Companion cells maintain sieve tube function and assist active transport during phloem translocation.
Q45. Which adaptation helps aquatic plants like water lilies float?
Answer: B — Aerenchyma with large air spaces (parenchyma modification).
Aerenchyma reduces density and aids buoyancy and internal gas exchange in hydrophytes.
Topic: Revision & Higher-Order Thinking
Q46. Which process explains movement of water up a tall tree?
Answer: B — Transpiration pull aided by cohesion and adhesion of water molecules.
Cohesion-tension theory: evaporation at leaves creates tension pulling water column up xylem, cohesion holds column together, adhesion to walls helps movement.
Q47. In which tissue would you find a large number of mitochondria to support active transport?
Answer: A — Root hair cells.
Root hair cells have abundant mitochondria to provide ATP required for active uptake of minerals.
Q48. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
Answer: C — Sclerenchyma provides mechanical support.
Sclerenchyma's lignified walls give rigidity and support; other statements are incorrect.
Q49. Which tissue would likely increase in quantity in plants adapted for climbing to provide more tensile strength?
Answer: C — Sclerenchyma fibres.
Sclerenchyma fibres provide tensile strength needed for climbing plants to support loads and resist mechanical stresses.
Q50. Which of these practices helps in preparing visible, well-stained slides of plant tissues?
Answer: B — Using thin sections and appropriate stains like safranin and fast green.
Thin sections allow light passage; safranin stains lignified walls and fast green contrasts non-lignified tissues for clear identification.
All MCQs are aligned with NCERT Class 9 Biology — Chapter 6: Tissues. Use these for practice, revision, and board exam preparation.