Question

Given are some difference between an underground stem and a root. Select the option that identifies the incorrect pair of differences.

	Underground stem	Root
(i)	It is differentiated into nodes and internodes	it is not differentiated in to nodes and internodes.
(ii)	Scale leaves are present at the nodes.	Scale leaves are absent in roots.
(iii)	Axillary buds are present in the axil of scale leaves.	Axillary buds are present at root tips.
(iv)	Branches arise exogenously.	Branches arise endogenously.
(v)	Flowers and fruits absent	Flowers and fruits are absent.
(vi)	These usually perform the function of food storage.	These usually perform the function of food storage.

• A. (i), (ii), and (vi)
• B. (i), (ii), and (iii)
• C. (iii), (v), and (vi)
• D. (ii), (iii), (v), and (vi)

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

(iii), (v), and (vi)

In underground stem axillary buds are present at the axil of scale leaves, roots do not give rise to buds-therefore incorrect.Flowers and fruits may be present in some underground stem (example Commelina). However, fruits and flowers are absent in roots - therefore statement incorrect. Underground stem usually perform the function of food storage (example- ginger, potato), however roots are meant to be underground, their primary function being absorption of water and minerals, only in certain cases they store food(sweet potato, carrot).

So, the correct answer is '(iii), (v), and (vi)'