Differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation — NEET & JEE Questions

Question 1 · difficulty L1 · recall

What is differentiation in plant development?

• A. Cells acquire specialised functions
• B. Mature cells regain the ability to divide
• C. Cells lose their genetic information
• D. Only cell size changes

Question 2 · difficulty L2 · understanding

Which process occurs when mature living plant cells regain the capacity to divide?

• A. Redifferentiation
• B. Dedifferentiation
• C. Senescence
• D. Abscission

Question 3 · difficulty L2 · understanding

The process by which cells derived from root apical and shoot apical meristems and cambium mature to perform specific functions is called

• A. dedifferentiation
• B. redifferentiation
• C. differentiation
• D. senescence

Question 4 · difficulty L2 · understanding

Fully differentiated parenchyma cells that regain the capacity to divide and form the interfascicular cambium and cork cambium are showing

• A. differentiation
• B. redifferentiation
• C. plasticity
• D. dedifferentiation

Question 5 · difficulty L3 · understanding

Formation of interfascicular cambium from fully developed parenchyma cells is an example for

• A. Differentiation
• B. Redifferentiation
• C. Dedifferentiation
• D. Maturation

Question 6 · difficulty L3 · application

Cells produced by a newly formed cambium later become specialised and lose the ability to divide. Which process is occurring?

• A. Dormancy
• B. Dedifferentiation
• C. Redifferentiation
• D. Photoperiodism

Question 7 · difficulty L3 · application

Cork cambium arises from mature cortical parenchyma and then produces cork cells that mature and lose the ability to divide. Which two processes, in order, does this sequence illustrate?

• A. Dedifferentiation, then redifferentiation
• B. Differentiation, then dedifferentiation
• C. Redifferentiation, then differentiation
• D. Differentiation, then redifferentiation

Question 8 · difficulty L3 · application

A cotton plant shows leaves of different shapes in its juvenile and mature phases, and the buttercup produces differently shaped leaves in air and in water. Which property of plants do both illustrate?

• A. Dedifferentiation
• B. Plasticity - different structures in response to environment or phase of life
• C. Senescence
• D. Apical dominance

Question 9 · difficulty L4 · application

Development is defined as all the changes an organism goes through during its life cycle from germination of the seed to senescence. Which pair of processes together constitutes development, and how do they relate?

• A. Dedifferentiation and redifferentiation; development is their alternation
• B. Photosynthesis and respiration; development is their balance
• C. Growth and differentiation; development is the sum of the two
• D. Plasticity and senescence; development ends with either

Question 10 · difficulty L4 · application

Tracheary elements of xylem develop from meristematic cells by losing their protoplasm and forming strong, elastic, lignified secondary cell walls. Which two statements about this are both correct?

• A. It is dedifferentiation, and the cells become living storage elements
• B. It is redifferentiation, and the cells retain their protoplasm
• C. It is plasticity, and the cells revert to meristem
• D. It is differentiation, and the cells become dead conducting elements adapted to carrying water