Question
NEET 2022 (paraphrased): Regarding nutrition in plants, which of the following statements is correct? (a) chlorophyll refers to open for CO₂ intake and water vapour loss (b) stomata is characterised by absorbs mainly red and blue light (c) Cuscuta — parasitic plant lacking chlorophyll (d) pitcher plant has no role in nutrition in plants
Solution — Step by Step
This option swaps the definitions. chlorophyll is actually absorbs mainly red and blue light, not what (a) claims. So (a) is out.
Similarly, stomata means open for CO₂ intake and water vapour loss. Option (b) is mismatched. Out.
This one reads correctly: Cuscuta — parasitic plant lacking chlorophyll. Match with NCERT wording confirms it.
pitcher plant — insectivorous, supplements nitrogen in poor soils — plays a real role in nutrition in plants, so option (d) is factually wrong.
Correct answer: (c) Cuscuta — parasitic plant lacking chlorophyll.
Why This Works
NEET PYQs on nutrition in plants 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 nutrition in plants 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.