Question

Choose the correct statements regarding heterophylly.

• A. It is an example of plasticity
• B. Heterophylly showing plants have different shape of leaves during juvenile phase and another shape upon maturation
• C. It is an example of tonicity
• D. It is shown by coriander and buttercup

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (D)

It is shown by coriander and buttercup

The development in plants is said to plastic. Plasticity in the development is that the structures formed either by the leaves and other organs during development can differ in response to environment and the different phases of life. Cotton and coriander show heterophylly (hetero for different and phyllon for leaf), that is they have a different shape of leaf during the juvenile phase of development and another shape of the leaf in the mature phase. Buttercup also shows heterophylly, these plants grow in water and produce stems that float on water. The leaves that grow submerged in water has a different morphology to the leaves that grow on the stems above water.