Unit 2: An Introduction to Plant Science

Question 1

Do plants have a nervous system?

Answer 1

Yes. Both plants and mammals have a ‘nervous system’ utilising chemicals such as serotonin, which we normally associate only with animal brain chemistry.

Question 2

What is serotonin?

Answer 2

A compound that occurs in the brain, intestines and blood platelets and acts as a neurotransmitter.

Question 3

What is the kingdom of plants known as?

(i.e. as opposed to mammals or reptiles)

Answer 3

Plantae

Question 4

Plants are divided into two main groups. What are they?

Answer 4

Vascular and non-vascular

Question 5

Vascular plants can be sub-divided into two main groups. What are they?

Answer 5

Seed-bearing and non seed-bearing

Question 6

Seed-bearing plants can further be sub-divided into two main groups. What are they?

Answer 6

Angiosperms and Gymnosperms

Question 7

What is an Angiosperm?

Answer 7

Any seed-bearing plant in which the ovules are enclosed within an ovary, which develops into a fruit after fertilisation. Many flowering plants are Angiosperms.

Question 8

Name three examples of an Angiosperm.

Answer 8

Bean, sunflower and rose

Question 9

What is a Gymnosperm?

Answer 9

Means ‘naked seed’ - seeds that are exposed to the atmosphere. This type of seed-bearing plant is often associated with the ancient species that existed on Earth before more diverse forms developed.

Question 10

Name two examples of a Gymnosperm.

Answer 10

Conifers and gingko biloba

Question 11

Angiosperms can further be sub-divided into two groups. What are they?

Answer 11

Monocotyledons (monocots) and dicotyledons (dicots)

Question 12

Name an example of a monocot

Answer 12

Corn

Question 13

Name an example of a dicot

Answer 13

Bean

Question 14

What is the name of the carrot family?

Answer 14

Apiaceae

Question 15

What is the name of the mint family?

Answer 15

Lamiaceae

Question 16

What is the name of the sunflower or daisy family?

Answer 16

Asteraceae

Question 17

What is the name of the rose family?

Answer 17

Rosaceae

Question 18

Name 6 plants in the rosaceae family

Answer 18

Roses (of all types)
Apple
Pear
Cherry
Apricot
Almond

Question 19

Scientific name of common or garden thyme

Answer 19

thymus vulgaris

Question 20

Scientific name for onion

Answer 20

Allium cepa

Question 21

Scientific name for garlic

Answer 21

Allium sativa

Question 22

What does the use of the variety name officinalis mean?

Answer 22

Means ‘of the office’ - telling us that it was ocean official medicinal plant

Question 23

What does the use of the variety name vulgaris mean?

Answer 23

Means ‘used by the common people’ - signifies the traditional use in folk traditions as a medicinal plant

Question 24

Scientific name of marigold

Answer 24

Calendula officinalis

Question 25

Scientific name of mugwort

Answer 25

Artemisia vulgaris

Question 26

Is a potato a dicotyledon or a monocotyledon?

Answer 26

dicotyledon

Question 27

Is ginger a dicotyledon or a monocotyledon?

Answer 27

monocotyledon

Question 28

Is turmeric a dicotyledon or a monocotyledon?

Answer 28

monocotyledon

Question 28

Is a tomato a dicotyledon or a monocotyledon?

Answer 28

monocotyledon

Question 29

Scientific name of meadowsweet

Answer 29

Filipendula ulmaria

Question 30

Scientific name of nettle

Answer 30

Urtica dioica

Question 31

Scientific name of wild carrot

Answer 31

daucus carota

Question 32

Scientific name of dandelion

Answer 32

Taraxacum officinale

Question 33

Scientific name of yarrow

Answer 33

Achillea millefolium

Question 34

Scientific name of lemon balm

Answer 34

Melissa officinalis

Question 35

Where does photosynthesis occur?

Answer 35

In the chlorophyll in chloroplasts