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Questions and Answers
Which modification of the stem is primarily responsible for storing food materials underground?
What is the primary function of the stem in flowering plants?
Which of the following stems grows horizontally along the soil surface?
Thorns which help protect plants from animals are derived from which part of the plant?
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Which type of bulb is characterized by concentric rings of bulblets surrounded by a white membranous sheath?
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Study Notes
Functions of the Stem
- Supports leaves, flowers, and fruits, providing structural integrity.
- Conducts water and mineral salts from roots to aerial parts of the plant.
- Transports food produced in leaves to roots, fruits, and storage organs.
Modifications of the Stem
Underground Stem
- Serves as a storage organ for food and provides a means of perennation during unfavorable growth conditions.
Rhizome
- Grows horizontally or parallel to the soil surface.
- Contains nodes, internodes, buds, and scaly leaves.
- Examples include Ginger, Banana, Turmeric, and Fern.
Tuber
- Swollen terminal portion of an underground branch for food accumulation.
- Notable examples are Potato and Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus Tuberosus).
Corm
- Grows vertically beneath the soil, typically unbranched.
- Features nodes, internodes, buds, and scale leaves.
- Examples include Colocasia, Gladiolus, Colchicum, Crocus, and Amorphophallus (Zaminkand).
Bulb
- Reduced, disc-shaped stem structure surrounded by concentric scale leaves.
- Inner leaf bases are fleshy and edible; outer ones are dry.
- Types include:
- Tunicated Bulb: Enclosed by a tunic, e.g., Onion (Simple and Compound).
- Scaly or Naked Bulb: Lacks a tunic, e.g., Lily.
Stem Tendrils
- Modified into thread-like spirally coiled structures.
- Facilitate climbing in plants such as Pumpkins, Watermelon, and Cucumber.
Stem Thorns
- Axillary buds modified into woody, pointed structures for protection.
- Found in plants like Bougainvillea, Citrus, and Duranta, serving as a defense against herbivores.
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Description
Explore the essential functions of stems in flowering plants and their various modifications, including underground stems for food storage. This quiz covers important concepts related to plant morphology, focusing on how stems support and transport vital nutrients. Test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of plant structures.