Q.71 Zoology ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active
NEET 2020 Zoology Question 71 Solution
Topic: Plant Kingdom · Official NTA Booklet Code E1
Question
Strobili or cones are found in:
- (1)Salvinia
- (2)Pteris
- (3)Marchantia
- (4)Equisetum
✓
Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key
Option (4) : Equisetum
📚 Plant Kingdom Easy
📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup
Morphological Structure Strobili or cones (compact sporophyll aggregations)
Candidate Genera Salvinia, Pteris, Marchantia, Equisetum
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⏱️ 20 seconds The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ "Strobili / Cones in Pteridophytes = Selaginella and Equisetum!"
In some pteridophytes, sporophylls form distinct, compact structures called strobili or cones, uniquely exemplified in NCERT by Selaginella and Equisetum (horsetail). Pteris and Salvinia have sori/sporocarps; Marchantia has antheridiophores/archegoniophores. Mark Equisetum (Option 4) in 5 seconds!
1 Recall NCERT statement on pteridophytes: "In some cases sporophylls may form distinct compact structures called strobili or cones (Selaginella, Equisetum)."
2 Candidate choices: Salvinia (heterosporous aquatic fern), Pteris (homosporous fern), Marchantia (bryophyte), Equisetum (horsetail).
3 Select Option (4) Equisetum.
🛡️
Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: NCERT Biology · Plant Kingdom (Pteridophytes: Sporophylls and Strobili)
📐
Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof
Step 1
Define Strobili or Cones in Pteridophytes
In pteridophytes, the main plant body is a sporophyte which bears sporangia subtended by leaf-like appendages called sporophylls. In some pteridophytes, sporophylls aggregate compactly at the apex of stems to form distinct cones or strobili.
Step 2
Review Canonical NCERT Examples
NCERT explicitly names two classic genera bearing strobili or cones: Selaginella (club moss) and Equisetum (horsetail).
Step 3
Examine Other Genera in Options
Salvinia is an aquatic heterosporous fern where sporangia are enclosed in sporocarps; Pteris is a fern whose sporangia are clustered in marginal sori under false indusia; Marchantia is a dioecious bryophyte bearing antheridiophores and archegoniophores, not strobili.
Step 4
Conclude Equisetum
Equisetum possesses a prominent apical cone/strobilus on fertile aerial shoots.
⭐
4-Option Deep Scan
360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature
Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.
1 A
✗ Incorrect Verdict & Scientific Reason:
Incorrect; Salvinia is a free-floating heterosporous aquatic fern that bears sporocarps, not strobili.
⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing heterosporous ferns with strobilus-bearing sphenopsids.
2 B
✗ Incorrect Verdict & Scientific Reason:
Incorrect; Pteris bears sporangia organized in continuous sori along leaflet margins.
⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Assuming all pteridophytes have cones.
3 C
✗ Incorrect Verdict & Scientific Reason:
Incorrect; Marchantia is a liverwort (bryophyte) with specialized umbrella-like gametophores, not cones.
⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing bryophyte archegoniophores with pteridophyte strobili.
4 D
✓ 100% Correct Verdict & Scientific Reason:
Factually exact; Equisetum (Sphenopsida) produces conspicuous apical strobili/cones on fertile shoots.
💡
Why this is airtight: None; direct textbook example.
⚠️
NTA Trap Alert: Pteridophyte Genera with Strobili
Only TWO pteridophyte genera are cited in NCERT as forming strobili or cones: SELAGINELLA and EQUISETUM.
🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Mnemonic: "S-E have Cones" -> Selaginella & Equisetum have strobili!
📖
Core NEET Syllabus Standard
Zoology · Plant Kingdom Standard Benchmark
Core Scientific Principle Tested:
""
Syllabus Focus: Pteridophyte Reproductive Structures: Strobili or Cones in Equisetum and Selaginella
✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗
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