Question
NEET 2022 (paraphrased): Regarding plant hormones (phytohormones), which of the following statements is correct? (a) auxin (IAA) refers to bolting, seed germination (b) gibberellin is characterised by apical dominance, phototropism (c) abscisic acid — stress hormone, stomatal closure (d) ethylene has no role in plant hormones (phytohormones)
Solution — Step by Step
This option swaps the definitions. auxin (IAA) is actually apical dominance, phototropism, not what (a) claims. So (a) is out.
Similarly, gibberellin means bolting, seed germination. Option (b) is mismatched. Out.
This one reads correctly: abscisic acid — stress hormone, stomatal closure. Match with NCERT wording confirms it.
ethylene — gaseous, triggers fruit ripening — plays a real role in plant hormones (phytohormones), so option (d) is factually wrong.
Correct answer: (c) abscisic acid — stress hormone, stomatal closure.
Why This Works
NEET PYQs on plant hormones (phytohormones) 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 hormones (phytohormones) 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.