Class 9 Science Chapter 3, Tissues in Action, explains how specialised groups of cells work together in plants and animals. This chapter includes plant tissues, animal tissues, tissue systems, muscular and nervous tissues, joints and the musculoskeletal system. Here you can practise 100 important MCQs with answers based on the latest NCERT Exploration syllabus.

Class 9 Science Chapter 3 MCQs – 100 Questions with Answers

1. A group of cells similar in structure and working together to perform a particular function is called:
(a) Organ
(b) Tissue
(c) Organ system
(d) Organism
Answer: (b) Tissue

2. Division of labour in multicellular organisms is possible mainly because:
(a) All cells perform identical functions
(b) Different cells become specialised
(c) Cells remain undifferentiated
(d) All tissues have the same structure
Answer: (b) Different cells become specialised

3. The tissue responsible for continuous growth in plants is:
(a) Permanent tissue
(b) Meristematic tissue
(c) Epidermal tissue
(d) Vascular tissue
Answer: (b) Meristematic tissue

4. Apical meristem is mainly present at:
(a) Root and shoot tips
(b) Leaf surface
(c) Middle of old stem
(d) Bark only
Answer: (a) Root and shoot tips

5. Increase in the length of roots and shoots occurs due to:
(a) Lateral meristem
(b) Intercalary meristem
(c) Apical meristem
(d) Sclerenchyma
Answer: (c) Apical meristem

6. Increase in the girth of a plant stem is mainly caused by:
(a) Apical meristem
(b) Lateral meristem
(c) Epidermis
(d) Parenchyma
Answer: (b) Lateral meristem

7. Grass can grow again after mowing mainly because of:
(a) Lateral meristem
(b) Apical meristem
(c) Intercalary meristem
(d) Sclerenchyma
Answer: (c) Intercalary meristem

8. Intercalary meristem is commonly located near:
(a) Root cap only
(b) Nodes or bases of leaves/internodes
(c) Bark
(d) Xylem vessels
Answer: (b) Nodes or bases of leaves/internodes

9. The process by which meristematic cells become specialised is called:
(a) Respiration
(b) Differentiation
(c) Transpiration
(d) Germination
Answer: (b) Differentiation

10. Permanent tissues generally contain cells that:
(a) Divide continuously
(b) Have acquired specialised functions
(c) Lack cell walls
(d) Have no cytoplasm
Answer: (b) Have acquired specialised functions

11. Which is a simple permanent tissue?
(a) Xylem
(b) Phloem
(c) Parenchyma
(d) Blood
Answer: (c) Parenchyma

12. Parenchyma is mainly composed of:
(a) Dead, thick-walled cells
(b) Living, thin-walled cells
(c) Long multinucleate cells
(d) Cells without intercellular spaces
Answer: (b) Living, thin-walled cells

13. A major function of parenchyma is:
(a) Transmission of nerve impulses
(b) Storage of food
(c) Contraction
(d) Blood clotting
Answer: (b) Storage of food

14. Specialised parenchyma containing large air spaces helps aquatic plants in:
(a) Reproduction
(b) Floating
(c) Seed formation
(d) Mineral absorption
Answer: (b) Floating

15. Collenchyma provides plants with:
(a) Flexibility and support
(b) Food transport only
(c) Water transport only
(d) Nerve conduction
Answer: (a) Flexibility and support

16. Uneven thickening in collenchyma cell walls is associated mainly with:
(a) Pectin
(b) Haemoglobin
(c) Calcium phosphate
(d) Keratin
Answer: (a) Pectin

17. Sclerenchyma cells are usually:
(a) Living and thin-walled
(b) Dead and thick-walled
(c) Without cell walls
(d) Continuously dividing
Answer: (b) Dead and thick-walled

18. The hardness of sclerenchyma is mainly due to deposition of:
(a) Starch
(b) Glucose
(c) Lignin
(d) Protein
Answer: (c) Lignin

19. Coconut husk is hard mainly because of:
(a) Parenchyma
(b) Sclerenchyma
(c) Meristematic tissue
(d) Epidermis
Answer: (b) Sclerenchyma

20. Xylem mainly transports:
(a) Food from leaves
(b) Water and minerals
(c) Oxygen only
(d) Hormones only
Answer: (b) Water and minerals

21. Which is the living component of xylem?
(a) Vessel
(b) Tracheid
(c) Xylem fibre
(d) Xylem parenchyma
Answer: (d) Xylem parenchyma

22. Phloem primarily transports:
(a) Water
(b) Minerals
(c) Food
(d) Oxygen
Answer: (c) Food

23. Which cells help regulate loading and unloading of sugars in sieve tubes?
(a) Guard cells
(b) Companion cells
(c) Bone cells
(d) Muscle cells
Answer: (b) Companion cells

24. Xylem and phloem together constitute:
(a) Dermal tissue system
(b) Vascular tissue system
(c) Nervous tissue
(d) Epithelial tissue
Answer: (b) Vascular tissue system

25. The outer protective covering of a young plant is generally the:
(a) Epidermis
(b) Xylem
(c) Phloem
(d) Pith
Answer: (a) Epidermis

26. Root hairs help mainly in:
(a) Photosynthesis
(b) Absorption of water and minerals
(c) Food transport
(d) Seed dispersal
Answer: (b) Absorption of water and minerals

27. Stomata are mainly associated with:
(a) Gas exchange and transpiration
(b) Muscle movement
(c) Blood transport
(d) Growth in girth
Answer: (a) Gas exchange and transpiration

28. Which of the following is NOT a main type of animal tissue?
(a) Epithelial
(b) Connective
(c) Muscular
(d) Meristematic
Answer: (d) Meristematic

29. Epithelial tissue generally consists of:
(a) Loosely arranged cells
(b) Closely packed cells
(c) Only dead cells
(d) Cells with large spaces between them
Answer: (b) Closely packed cells

30. Thin epithelial cells in lungs are useful because they:
(a) Prevent all exchange
(b) Allow rapid diffusion of gases
(c) Store fat
(d) Contract continuously
Answer: (b) Allow rapid diffusion of gases

31. The lining of the small intestine is suited mainly for:
(a) Absorption
(b) Locomotion
(c) Support only
(d) Nerve conduction
Answer: (a) Absorption

32. Tissue that connects and supports different body parts is:
(a) Epithelial
(b) Connective
(c) Meristematic
(d) Epidermal
Answer: (b) Connective

33. Blood is classified as:
(a) Muscular tissue
(b) Connective tissue
(c) Nervous tissue
(d) Epithelial tissue
Answer: (b) Connective tissue

34. Platelets mainly help in:
(a) Carrying oxygen
(b) Fighting pathogens
(c) Blood clotting
(d) Producing nerve impulses
Answer: (c) Blood clotting

35. The red colour of blood is mainly due to:
(a) Plasma
(b) Haemoglobin in RBCs
(c) Platelets
(d) WBCs
Answer: (b) Haemoglobin in RBCs

36. White blood cells are especially important in:
(a) Defence against infection
(b) Carrying oxygen
(c) Moving bones
(d) Forming cartilage
Answer: (a) Defence against infection

37. The hard matrix of bones contains compounds mainly of:
(a) Sodium and chlorine
(b) Calcium and phosphorus
(c) Carbon and nitrogen only
(d) Iron and iodine
Answer: (b) Calcium and phosphorus

38. Cartilage differs from bone because cartilage is:
(a) More flexible
(b) More rigid
(c) Always hollow
(d) Not connective tissue
Answer: (a) More flexible

39. Tendons connect:
(a) Bone to bone
(b) Muscle to bone
(c) Muscle to muscle only
(d) Nerve to bone
Answer: (b) Muscle to bone

40. Ligaments connect:
(a) Muscle to bone
(b) Bone to bone
(c) Nerve to muscle
(d) Skin to bone
Answer: (b) Bone to bone

41. Skeletal muscles are generally responsible for:
(a) Voluntary movements
(b) Heartbeat
(c) Movement of food through intestine only
(d) Hormone secretion
Answer: (a) Voluntary movements

42. Cardiac muscles are found in the:
(a) Stomach
(b) Arm
(c) Heart
(d) Skin
Answer: (c) Heart

43. Cardiac muscle fibres are:
(a) Branched and involuntary
(b) Unbranched and voluntary
(c) Dead
(d) Without nuclei
Answer: (a) Branched and involuntary

44. The structural and functional unit of nervous tissue is the:
(a) Nephron
(b) Neuron
(c) Osteocyte
(d) Platelet
Answer: (b) Neuron

45. Dendrites mainly:
(a) Receive signals
(b) Carry blood
(c) Join bones
(d) Store food
Answer: (a) Receive signals

46. The long part of a neuron that carries messages away from the cell body is the:
(a) Dendrite
(b) Axon
(c) Matrix
(d) Ligament
Answer: (b) Axon

47. A ball-and-socket joint is found at the:
(a) Shoulder
(b) Skull
(c) Elbow only
(d) Neck only
Answer: (a) Shoulder

48. The elbow and knee mainly contain:
(a) Fixed joints
(b) Hinge joints
(c) Pivot joints
(d) Ball-and-socket joints
Answer: (b) Hinge joints

49. The joint that allows the head to turn from side to side is a:
(a) Hinge joint
(b) Pivot joint
(c) Fixed joint
(d) Ball-and-socket joint
Answer: (b) Pivot joint

50. Which combination is most helpful in maintaining musculoskeletal health?
(a) Poor posture and inactivity
(b) Correct posture, balanced nutrition, exercise and yoga
(c) Complete avoidance of movement
(d) Only sleeping for long periods
Answer: (b) Correct posture, balanced nutrition, exercise and yoga

Hard / Application-Based MCQs 51–100

51. A student observes a plant tissue under a microscope. The cells are small, have dense cytoplasm, prominent nuclei and almost no intercellular spaces. Which conclusion is most appropriate?

(a) The tissue is specialised for storage
(b) The cells are actively dividing
(c) The cells are dead and provide strength
(d) The tissue transports food

Answer: (b) The cells are actively dividing

52. A gardener removes the shoot tip of a young plant. Which process will be affected most immediately?

(a) Increase in stem thickness
(b) Increase in shoot length
(c) Transport of food
(d) Opening of stomata

Answer: (b) Increase in shoot length

53. A tree continues to increase in thickness even after it has attained considerable height. Which tissue is mainly responsible?

(a) Apical meristem
(b) Intercalary meristem
(c) Lateral meristem
(d) Parenchyma

Answer: (c) Lateral meristem

54. Which combination correctly matches tissue, characteristic and function?

(a) Parenchyma — dead cells — mechanical strength
(b) Collenchyma — uneven wall thickening — flexibility
(c) Sclerenchyma — thin walls — storage
(d) Meristem — large intercellular spaces — photosynthesis

Answer: (b) Collenchyma — uneven wall thickening — flexibility

55. Why are intercellular spaces usually very small or absent in meristematic tissues?

(a) Cells are dead
(b) Cells are closely packed and actively dividing
(c) Cells contain lignin
(d) Cells transport water

Answer: (b) Cells are closely packed and actively dividing

56. A plant organ requires both flexibility and mechanical support while it is still growing. Which tissue is best suited?

(a) Sclerenchyma
(b) Collenchyma
(c) Xylem
(d) Cork

Answer: (b) Collenchyma

57. Which tissue would be most abundant in a soft, fleshy fruit used for food storage?

(a) Parenchyma
(b) Sclerenchyma
(c) Meristematic tissue
(d) Xylem fibre

Answer: (a) Parenchyma

58. A tissue has elongated cells with very thick lignified walls and little or no living contents at maturity. Its most likely function is:

(a) Photosynthesis
(b) Transport of sugars
(c) Mechanical support
(d) Cell division

Answer: (c) Mechanical support

59. Which observation best distinguishes sclerenchyma from collenchyma?

(a) Both provide support
(b) Sclerenchyma cells are generally dead at maturity
(c) Collenchyma has cell walls
(d) Both occur in plants

Answer: (b) Sclerenchyma cells are generally dead at maturity

60. An aquatic plant floats because a particular tissue contains large air-filled spaces. This modified tissue is primarily derived from:

(a) Parenchyma
(b) Collenchyma
(c) Sclerenchyma
(d) Phloem

Answer: (a) Parenchyma

61. Suppose the xylem in the stem of a plant becomes blocked. Which symptom is likely to appear first in the leaves?

(a) Reduced supply of water and minerals
(b) Complete absence of food formation immediately
(c) Increased transport of sugars
(d) Increased cell division

Answer: (a) Reduced supply of water and minerals

62. If phloem transport is severely disrupted, which movement would be affected most directly?

(a) Water from roots to leaves
(b) Sugars from leaves to growing regions
(c) Oxygen from stomata to atmosphere
(d) Minerals from soil into root hairs

Answer: (b) Sugars from leaves to growing regions

63. Which statement about xylem is most accurate?

(a) All xylem cells are living
(b) Its only function is mechanical support
(c) It contains more than one type of cell and transports water and minerals
(d) It transports food from leaves to roots only

Answer: (c) It contains more than one type of cell and transports water and minerals

64. Xylem and phloem are called complex permanent tissues mainly because:

(a) They are found only in complex plants
(b) They contain several kinds of cells working together
(c) Their cells continuously divide
(d) They occur only in roots

Answer: (b) They contain several kinds of cells working together

65. Which pairing is incorrect?

(a) Vessel — water conduction
(b) Sieve tube — food conduction
(c) Companion cell — associated with sieve tube function
(d) Xylem fibre — active cell division

Answer: (d) Xylem fibre — active cell division

66. A student traces movement of mineral-rich water from roots toward leaves. Which tissue system is being studied primarily?

(a) Dermal tissue system
(b) Vascular tissue system
(c) Ground tissue system
(d) Meristematic system

Answer: (b) Vascular tissue system

67. Which plant tissue system provides the most direct link between roots and leaves for long-distance transport?

(a) Dermal
(b) Vascular
(c) Ground
(d) Epidermal only

Answer: (b) Vascular

68. If root hairs were severely damaged, which process would be affected most directly?

(a) Absorption of water and minerals
(b) Food transport through phloem
(c) Increase in girth
(d) Formation of flowers only

Answer: (a) Absorption of water and minerals

69. Stomata and root hairs are both associated with the epidermal system, but they mainly differ because:

(a) Stomata participate in gas exchange, while root hairs aid absorption
(b) Both transport food
(c) Root hairs perform photosynthesis
(d) Stomata transport minerals into roots

Answer: (a) Stomata participate in gas exchange, while root hairs aid absorption

70. Which sequence correctly represents increasing organisation in a multicellular organism?

(a) Organ → tissue → cell → organ system
(b) Cell → tissue → organ → organ system
(c) Tissue → cell → organ system → organ
(d) Cell → organ → tissue → organism

Answer: (b) Cell → tissue → organ → organ system

71. A tissue lining the air sacs of lungs should ideally be:

(a) Thick and multilayered
(b) Thin to facilitate rapid diffusion
(c) Heavily lignified
(d) Made of bone cells

Answer: (b) Thin to facilitate rapid diffusion

72. The epithelial tissue lining regions exposed to considerable friction is expected to have:

(a) A single delicate layer only
(b) Several protective layers
(c) Large intercellular spaces
(d) A fluid matrix

Answer: (b) Several protective layers

73. Which feature makes epithelial tissue effective as a protective covering?

(a) Large gaps between cells
(b) Closely packed arrangement of cells
(c) Presence of lignin
(d) Fluid intercellular matrix

Answer: (b) Closely packed arrangement of cells

74. A tissue has cells embedded in a large amount of matrix rather than tightly packed together. It is most likely:

(a) Epithelial tissue
(b) Connective tissue
(c) Meristematic tissue
(d) Epidermal tissue

Answer: (b) Connective tissue

75. Which property makes blood fundamentally different from bone although both are connective tissues?

(a) Blood lacks cells
(b) Blood has a fluid matrix while bone has a hard matrix
(c) Bone has no matrix
(d) Only blood connects body parts

Answer: (b) Blood has a fluid matrix while bone has a hard matrix

76. If the number of platelets in a person’s blood becomes extremely low, which problem is most directly expected?

(a) Reduced oxygen transport
(b) Delayed blood clotting
(c) Loss of nerve impulses
(d) Weak muscle contraction

Answer: (b) Delayed blood clotting

77. A person has normal RBCs and platelets but a severe reduction in WBCs. Which body function would be affected most directly?

(a) Defence against infection
(b) Oxygen transport
(c) Blood clotting
(d) Bone movement

Answer: (a) Defence against infection

78. Haemoglobin is particularly important because it enables:

(a) Platelets to form clots
(b) RBCs to transport oxygen efficiently
(c) WBCs to destroy pathogens
(d) Nerves to transmit signals

Answer: (b) RBCs to transport oxygen efficiently

79. Bone is hard whereas cartilage is relatively flexible mainly because:

(a) Their matrices differ in composition and rigidity
(b) Cartilage contains no cells
(c) Bone contains no cells
(d) Cartilage is a muscle tissue

Answer: (a) Their matrices differ in composition and rigidity

80. Which structure is best adapted to absorb shocks and provide flexible support at certain joints?

(a) Cartilage
(b) Tendon
(c) Skeletal muscle
(d) Neuron

Answer: (a) Cartilage

81. During movement of the forearm, the muscle contracts and pulls the bone. Which structure transmits the pull from muscle to bone?

(a) Ligament
(b) Tendon
(c) Cartilage
(d) Neuron

Answer: (b) Tendon

82. An athlete suffers an injury to a structure that normally joins two bones at a joint. Which structure is damaged?

(a) Tendon
(b) Ligament
(c) Skeletal muscle
(d) Axon

Answer: (b) Ligament

83. Why are ligaments important at movable joints?

(a) They produce nerve impulses
(b) They stabilise bones while allowing controlled movement
(c) They carry oxygen
(d) They transport food

Answer: (b) They stabilise bones while allowing controlled movement

84. Which of the following correctly compares tendons and ligaments?

(a) Both connect muscle to muscle
(b) Tendons connect muscle to bone; ligaments connect bone to bone
(c) Tendons connect bone to bone; ligaments connect muscle to bone
(d) Both are types of muscular tissue

Answer: (b) Tendons connect muscle to bone; ligaments connect bone to bone

85. Which feature is most characteristic of skeletal muscle?

(a) It functions without conscious control in all cases
(b) It is associated with voluntary movement of bones
(c) It is found only in the heart
(d) Its cells are always spindle-shaped and non-striated

Answer: (b) It is associated with voluntary movement of bones

86. Which combination correctly describes cardiac muscle?

(a) Voluntary, unbranched, found in limbs
(b) Involuntary, branched, rhythmically contracting
(c) Voluntary, spindle-shaped, found in stomach
(d) Dead, branched, found in heart

Answer: (b) Involuntary, branched, rhythmically contracting

87. Why is cardiac muscle well suited for the heart?

(a) It contracts only when consciously instructed
(b) It can contract rhythmically and involuntarily
(c) It becomes inactive during sleep
(d) Its cells are dead

Answer: (b) It can contract rhythmically and involuntarily

88. Smooth muscle differs from skeletal muscle mainly because smooth muscle:

(a) Is involuntary and generally lacks visible striations
(b) Is found only in bones
(c) Is always multinucleate
(d) Is part of xylem

Answer: (a) Is involuntary and generally lacks visible striations

89. The movement of food through the digestive tract mainly depends on:

(a) Skeletal muscles only
(b) Smooth muscle activity
(c) Cardiac muscle activity
(d) Bone tissue

Answer: (b) Smooth muscle activity

90. Which statement best explains why movement of the skeleton requires coordination of several tissues?

(a) Bones contract and pull muscles
(b) Muscles provide force, tendons transmit it, joints permit movement and ligaments provide stability
(c) Ligaments contract and shorten
(d) Cartilage produces nerve impulses

Answer: (b) Muscles provide force, tendons transmit it, joints permit movement and ligaments provide stability

91. A neuron receives information through one part and transmits information away through another. Which pairing is correct?

(a) Axon receives; dendrites carry away
(b) Dendrites receive; axon carries away
(c) Cell body carries blood; axon stores minerals
(d) Dendrites contract; axon forms joints

Answer: (b) Dendrites receive; axon carries away

92. Which sequence best represents a simplified pathway when a person intentionally lifts a book?

(a) Muscle → nerve signal → brain → bone
(b) Nervous system signal → skeletal muscle contraction → tendon pulls bone → movement at joint
(c) Bone contraction → ligament contraction → movement
(d) Cartilage → blood → muscle → neuron

Answer: (b) Nervous system signal → skeletal muscle contraction → tendon pulls bone → movement at joint

93. A joint permits movement in many directions, including rotation. Which joint is most likely involved?

(a) Fixed joint
(b) Hinge joint
(c) Ball-and-socket joint
(d) Fibrous joint of skull

Answer: (c) Ball-and-socket joint

94. A door opens and closes mainly about one axis. Which human joint resembles this type of movement most closely?

(a) Shoulder
(b) Elbow
(c) Skull joint
(d) Neck pivot joint

Answer: (b) Elbow

95. A student can rotate the head left and right without moving the shoulders significantly. Which joint mainly permits this motion?

(a) Hinge
(b) Pivot
(c) Ball-and-socket
(d) Fixed

Answer: (b) Pivot

96. Why are many joints between skull bones described as fixed?

(a) They allow free rotation
(b) They provide rigid protection to the brain
(c) They contain skeletal muscles
(d) They connect muscle to bone

Answer: (b) They provide rigid protection to the brain

97. Which statement best represents the relationship between structure and function in tissues?

(a) All tissues have identical structures because they perform similar functions
(b) Tissue structure is adapted to the particular function it performs
(c) Only plant tissues show specialisation
(d) Structure has no relationship with function

Answer: (b) Tissue structure is adapted to the particular function it performs

98. A student spends many hours bent over a desk and performs almost no physical activity. Over time, which combination is most likely to be adversely affected?

(a) Posture, muscle fitness and joint flexibility
(b) Only skin colour
(c) Xylem and phloem
(d) Root growth

Answer: (a) Posture, muscle fitness and joint flexibility

99. Which combination best supports long-term musculoskeletal health?

(a) Balanced nutrition + regular exercise + correct posture
(b) Excessive inactivity + poor posture
(c) Exercise with inadequate nutrition only
(d) Avoidance of all joint movement

Answer: (a) Balanced nutrition + regular exercise + correct posture

100. Four students make the following statements:

P: Meristematic tissue is specialised for continuous cell division.
Q: Sclerenchyma provides strength because of thick lignified walls.
R: Tendons connect bones to bones.
S: Nervous tissue helps transmit information.

Which students are correct?

(a) P and Q only
(b) P, Q and S only
(c) Q, R and S only
(d) P, Q, R and S

Answer: (b) P, Q and S only

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the name of Chapter 3 in NCERT Class 9 Science Exploration?
Chapter 3 deals with Tissues in Action.

Q. How many MCQs are included on this page?
This page contains 100 MCQs with answers.

Q. Are these questions based on the latest NCERT syllabus?
Yes. They follow the current Grade 9 tissues syllabus and cover both plant and animal tissues along with the musculoskeletal system.

Q. Are hard and application-based MCQs included?
Yes. Questions 51–100 include more application-oriented and higher-order questions.

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