Question
NEET 2022 (paraphrased): Regarding plant physiology, which of the following statements is correct? (a) transpiration pull refers to forces water through endodermal cells (b) Casparian strip is characterised by drives xylem water movement upward (c) translocation — phloem moves sugar by pressure flow (d) guttation has no role in plant physiology
Solution — Step by Step
This option swaps the definitions. transpiration pull is actually drives xylem water movement upward, not what (a) claims. So (a) is out.
Similarly, Casparian strip means forces water through endodermal cells. Option (b) is mismatched. Out.
This one reads correctly: translocation — phloem moves sugar by pressure flow. Match with NCERT wording confirms it.
guttation — water loss through hydathodes, not stomata — plays a real role in plant physiology, so option (d) is factually wrong.
Correct answer: (c) translocation — phloem moves sugar by pressure flow.
Why This Works
NEET PYQs on plant physiology rely on definition swapping. The examiner takes two correct facts and pairs them with the wrong terms. If you know each fact cold, the MCQ dissolves in 20 seconds.
Alternative Method
For definition-swap MCQs, don’t read all four options first. Read option (a), decide true/false, then (b), and so on. This prevents confusion between similar-looking options.
NEET reuses the same fact set every 2–3 years with different distractors. Master the four NCERT facts on plant physiology listed here and you’ll handle almost any MCQ on this chapter.
Common Mistake
Students second-guess themselves when they see a familiar option listed as “wrong” in the stem. Trust the elimination — if you know the definition, stick with it.
Keep a one-page sheet of definitions for every NEET chapter. Revise only that sheet in the last 48 hours before the exam.