1: What family does the genus Cissus belong to?
A: Vitaceae
B: Rosaceae
C: Asteraceae
D: Fabaceae
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus is a genus within the grape family, Vitaceae.
2: Approximately how many species are there in the genus Cissus?
A: 100
B: 200
C: 300
D: 350
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The genus Cissus comprises approximately 350 species.
3: Cissus quadrangularis has been studied for its potential benefits on which bodily function?
A: Gastroprotective activity
B: Cardiovascular health
C: Cognitive enhancement
D: Muscle growth
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus quadrangularis has been evaluated for potential gastroprotective activity and other medicinal effects.
4: Which Cissus species is known to be used by the Maasai people of Kenya for relieving some malaria symptoms?
A: Cissus antarctica
B: Cissus quinquangularis
C: Cissus incisa
D: Cissus alata
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Maasai people of Kenya have used Cissus quinquangularis to relieve malaria symptoms.
5: What is the main threat to the cultivation of succulent species of Cissus like Cissus quadrangularis in certain regions?
A: Frost
B: Pests
C: Poor soil quality
D: Excessive sunlight
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Succulent species like Cissus quadrangularis are frost tender and thus not widely cultivated in areas susceptible to frost.
6: Which species of insects use Cissus plants as a food source during their larval stage?
A: Hypercompe eridanus
B: Papilio machaon
C: Danaus plexippus
D: Pieris rapae
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including Hypercompe eridanus, use Cissus plants as food.
7: What is the Greek word from which the genus name Cissus is derived?
A: Cladanthus
B: Kissos
C: Anthos
D: Phyllon
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The generic name Cissus is derived from the Greek word κισσος (kissos), meaning “ivy.”
8: Which taxonomist established the genus name Cissus?
A: Aristotle
B: Charles Darwin
C: Carl Linnaeus
D: Gregor Mendel
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The genus name Cissus was established by Carl Linnaeus.
9: In what type of climate are the majority of Cissus species found?
A: Tropical
B: Temperate
C: Arctic
D: Desert
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Most Cissus species are found in tropical climates.
10: What notable chemical compounds are found in Cissus quadrangularis that contribute to its medicinal potential?
A: Carotenoids, triterpenoids, and ascorbic acid
B: Flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins
C: Polysaccharides, saponins, and glycosides
D: Amino acids, peptides, and proteins
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus quadrangularis contains carotenoids, triterpenoids, and ascorbic acid, which contribute to its medicinal potential.
11: Which Cissus species is sometimes cultivated as a garden plant?
A: Cissus antarctica
B: Cissus venosa
C: Cissus discolor
D: Cissus quadrangularis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus antarctica is among the species cultivated as garden plants.
12: What was a major change in the taxonomy of the genus Cissus in the 1980s?
A: Split according to flower details
B: Combined with a different genus
C: Renamed entirely
D: Changed family classification
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: In the 1980s, the genus was split according to some details of the flower.
13: Which subfamily does Cissus belong to?
A: Vitoideae
B: Bromelioideae
C: Poideae
D: Aroideae
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus belongs to the subfamily Vitoideae.
14: Which animal is known to consume Cissus plants?
A: Chimpanzees
B: Elephants
C: Deer
D: Koalas
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Chimpanzees are known to consume Cissus plants.
15: What type of plant growth form do Cissus species predominantly exhibit?
A: Shrubs
B: Trees
C: Lianas (woody vines)
D: Herbs
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cissus species predominantly exhibit the growth form of lianas, which are woody vines.
16: What is the grammatical gender of the species epithets used by Carl Linnaeus for Cissus?
A: Masculine
B: Feminine
C: Neuter
D: Plural
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Carl Linnaeus used species epithets that are adjectives with feminine grammatical gender in Latin for Cissus.
17: How many key tracheophytes are included in the genus Cissus?
A: Four
B: Six
C: Eight
D: Ten
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Key tracheophytes include important groups such as the Angiosperms within which Cissus is categorized.
18: What type of distribution do Cissus species have?
A: Cosmopolitan
B: Endemic
C: Limited to the Americas
D: Continental European
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus plants have a cosmopolitan distribution, being found widely around the world.
19: How were the large caudiciform species of Cissus reclassified?
A: Moved to the new genus Cyphostemma
B: Listed as endangered
C: Reclassified under a new family
D: Divided into subspecies
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Large caudiciform species were moved to the new genus Cyphostemma.
20: Which characteristic defines the majority of Cissus among the plant kingdom classifications mentioned?
A: Woody vines in the grape family
B: Herbaceous plants in the rose family
C: Shrubby plants in the daisy family
D: Aquatic plants in the legume family
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The majority of Cissus species are woody vines in the grape family (Vitaceae).
21: Which Cissus species is specifically noted for being cultivated in the nursery trade but is frost tender?
A: Cissus quadrangularis
B: Cissus alata
C: Cissus antarctica
D: Cissus incisa
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus quadrangularis is noted for being frost tender and found in the nursery trade.
22: Which Cissus species is cultivated as a garden plant and also frost tender?
A: Cissus quadrangularis
B: Cissus alata
C: Cissus antarctica
D: Cissus incisa
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus quadrangularis is cultivated in gardens but is susceptible to frost.
23: What is the common use of Cissus species in the garden?
A: Ornamental
B: Medicinal
C: Culinary
D: Industrial
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Several Cissus species are cultivated as ornamental garden plants.
24: In what order is the genus Cissus classified?
A: Vitales
B: Rosales
C: Brassicales
D: Asterales
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The genus Cissus is classified under the order Vitales.
25: What is the primary ecological role of Cissus species in terms of their interaction with insects?
A: Food plants for larvae of Lepidoptera species
B: Pollinators for flowers
C: Enhancing soil fertility
D: Repelling pests
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus species serve as food plants for the larvae of some Lepidoptera species.
26: Who is credited with first categorizing the species within the genus Cissus?
A: Carl Linnaeus
B: Gregor Mendel
C: Charles Darwin
D: Alfred Wallace
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Carl Linnaeus is credited with first categorizing the species within the genus Cissus.
27: What clade do Cissus species belong to within the plant kingdom?
A: Angiosperms
B: Gymnosperms
C: Bryophytes
D: Pteridophytes
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus species belong to the clade Angiosperms.
28: What primary use does Cissus quinquangularis serve in traditional Kenyan medicine?
A: Relieving some symptoms of malaria
B: Treating stomach ulcers
C: Reducing inflammation
D: Enhancing cognitive function
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus quinquangularis has been used by the Maasai people of Kenya to relieve some symptoms of malaria.
29: What is the primary characteristic of lianas, the growth form exhibited by many Cissus species?
A: Woody vines
B: Small shrubs
C: Aquatic herbs
D: Tall trees
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Lianas are woody vines, a characteristic growth form of many Cissus species.
30: The generic name Cissus was derived from Greek, meaning ivy. From what Greek word does this name come?
A: Kissos
B: Dendron
C: Anthos
D: Xylon
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The name Cissus is derived from the Greek word κισσος (kissos), meaning ivy.
31: What kind of activity has been associated with Cissus quadrangularis due to its chemical composition?
A: Gastroprotective
B: Anti-inflammatory
C: Sedative
D: Stimulant
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus quadrangularis has been evaluated for its gastroprotective activity due to its chemical composition.
32: Where are the majority of Cissus species found?
A: Tropics
B: Deserts
C: Temperate zones
D: Mountains
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The majority of Cissus species are found in tropical regions.
33: In what year was the genus Cissus split and large caudiciform species moved to a new genus?
A: 1980s
B: 1990s
C: 2000s
D: 2010s
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: In the 1980s, the genus was split and the large caudiciform species were moved to the new genus Cyphostemma.
34: Which Cissus species is known for its garden cultivation across various areas but not widely outside due to frost sensitivity?
A: Cissus quadrangularis
B: Cissus alata
C: Cissus antarctica
D: Cissus incisa
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus quadrangularis is commonly cultivated in gardens but is frost tender, limiting its wider cultivation.
35: What is the primary medicinal use of Cissus quadrangularis reported in research?
A: Gastroprotective effects
B: Cardiovascular benefits
C: Cognitive enhancement
D: Joint health
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Research has reported gastroprotective effects as a primary medicinal use of Cissus quadrangularis.
36: Cissus species are frequently utilized by which group of animals as a dietary component?
A: Insect larvae
B: Birds
C: Fish
D: Mammals
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus species are frequently utilized by the larvae of some insect species as a dietary component.
37: What subfamily does Cissus belong to within the Vitaceae family?
A: Vitoideae
B: Bromelioideae
C: Poideae
D: Aroideae
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus belongs to the subfamily Vitoideae within the Vitaceae family.
38: Which Cissus species used for ornamental purposes are most commonly cultivated?
A: Cissus antarctica, Cissus alata, and Cissus incisa
B: Cissus quadrangularis, Cissus discolor, and Cissus rhombifolia
C: Cissus subaphylla, Cissus similis, and Cissus petiolata
D: Cissus verticillata, Cissus trifoliata, and Cissus fera
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus antarctica, Cissus alata, and Cissus incisa are cultivated as ornamental garden plants.
39: Which part of the Cissus plant is primarily consumed by chimpanzees?
A: Leaves and stems
B: Roots
C: Flowers
D: Seeds
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Chimpanzees primarily consume the leaves and stems of Cissus plants.
40: What is one of the chemical constituents found in Cissus quadrangularis that contributes to its potential medicinal properties?
A: Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
B: Caffeine
C: Nicotine
D: Aspirin
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is one of the chemical constituents found in Cissus quadrangularis contributing to its potential medicinal properties.
41: In what kind of biomes are Cissus species predominantly found?
A: Tropical rainforests and savannas
B: Deserts and tundras
C: Freshwater lakes
D: Alpine meadows
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus species are predominantly found in tropical rainforests and savannas.
42: Who named the genus Cissus using species epithets that follow the pattern of having feminine grammatical gender in Latin?
A: Carl Linnaeus
B: Aristotle
C: Hippocrates
D: Pliny the Elder
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Carl Linnaeus named the genus Cissus and used species epithets with feminine grammatical gender in Latin.
43: What evolutionary clade does the genus Cissus belong to within the broader classification of plants?
A: Eudicots
B: Gymnosperms
C: Monocots
D: Pteridophytes
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The genus Cissus belongs to the evolutionary clade Eudicots.
44: Cissus species have a cosmopolitan distribution but are mostly found in what global region?
A: Tropics
B: Arctic
C: Subpolar regions
D: High altitude areas
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus species have a cosmopolitan distribution but are predominantly found in the tropics.
45: What new genus were large caudiciform species of Cissus moved to in the 1980s?
A: Cyphostemma
B: Helxine
C: Pedilanthus
D: Viscum
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Large caudiciform species were moved to the new genus Cyphostemma in the 1980s.
46: What is an example of a Cissus species that is primarily grown indoors due to its delicate nature against frost?
A: Cissus quadrangularis
B: Cissus vinifera
C: Cissus latifolia
D: Cissus eximia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus quadrangularis is often grown indoors to protect it from frost.
47: How has Cissus quadrangularis been used in traditional medicinal practices?
A: As a remedy for digestive issues
B: As a stimulant
C: As a sedative
D: As a skin ointment
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cissus quadrangularis has been used traditionally as a remedy for digestive issues among other medicinal uses.
48: Which order does the genus Cissus fall under within the plant kingdom?
A: Vitales
B: Rosales
C: Brassicales
D: Asterales
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The genus Cissus falls under the order Vitales.
49: Which of the following animals uses Cissus plants as a part of their diet?
A: Chimpanzees
B: Kangaroos
C: Pandas
D: Zebras
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Chimpanzees are known to consume Cissus plants as part of their diet.
50: What attribute of Cissus plants makes them desirable for ornamental gardening?
A: Aesthetic appearance and adaptability
B: Edible fruits
C: Water conservation properties
D: Fragrant flowers
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The aesthetic appearance and adaptability of Cissus plants make them desirable for ornamental gardening.
51: In the taxonomy of the genus Cissus, what clade do they belong to?
A: Rosids
B: Poales
C: Asterids
D: Commelinids
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The genus Cissus belongs to the clade Rosids.
52: Which part of the Cissus plant has been studied for potential medical effects?
A: Extracts from the plant
B: Seeds
C: Flowers
D: Bark
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Extracts from Cissus plants have been studied for potential medical effects.
53: What is one of the primary chemicals found in Cissus quadrangularis that is under research for its health benefits?
A: Triterpenoids
B: Caffeine
C: Cyanide
D: Fructose
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Triterpenoids are one of the primary chemicals in Cissus quadrangularis that researchers are studying for health benefits.
54: What climate limitation restricts the broad cultivation of succulent Cissus species?
A: Sensitivity to frost
B: Lack of wind resistance
C: High water needs
D: Shade intolerance
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Many succulent Cissus species are restricted from broad cultivation due to their sensitivity to frost.
55: How does the genus Cissus primarily contribute to the diet of certain animals?
A: As a source of leaves and stems
B: Providing fruits
C: As water reservoirs
D: Offering nesting materials
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The leaves and stems of Cissus plants are primarily consumed by certain animals like chimpanzees.
56: What characteristic of Cissus plants is often a reason for their inclusion in nurseries?
A: Decorative and adaptable nature
B: High yield of edible fruits
C: Strong medicinal aroma
D: Ability to thrive in cold climates
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The decorative and adaptable nature of Cissus plants makes them popular in nurseries.
57: In what botanical family is the genus Cissus placed?
A: Vitaceae
B: Solanaceae
C: Malvaceae
D: Rutaceae
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The genus Cissus is placed in the botanical family Vitaceae.
58: What effect has the high nutritional content of Cissus leaves and stems shown on certain animal species?
A: Support of various dietary needs
B: Promotion of flowering
C: Speedy growth of fruits
D: Reduction in territorial behavior
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The high nutritional content of Cissus leaves and stems supports the dietary needs of several animal species.
59: What is the importance of the genus Cissus’ cosmopolitan distribution?
A: Ensures the spread and adaptability in various climates
B: Guarantees uniform flowering periods worldwide
C: Limiting pests and diseases
D: Provides strong aromatic properties
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The cosmopolitan distribution of the genus Cissus ensures that these plants can spread and adapt to various climates.
60: What aspect of Cissus quadrangularis makes it important in medicinal research now and in 2024?
A: Its potential gastroprotective properties
B: Its sweet-smelling flowers
C: Its large fruit production
D: Its resistance to pollutants
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The potential gastroprotective properties of Cissus quadrangularis make it significant in current medicinal research.