Question

A unipinnate compound leaf can be differentiated from a branch having simple leaves by
A. Presence of terminal bud in compound leaf
B. Absence of veins in the leaflets
C. Presence of buds in the axil of leaflets
D. Presence of buds in the axil of leaves

Answer 1

Hint: Leaves are regarded as the kitchen of plants as they perform photosynthesis. Main parts of the leaf are leaf base, lamina, petiole and stipules. There are two types of leaves; namely simple and compound leaves. Compound leaves are of further two types: pinnate and palmate leaves.

Complete answer: Various types of leaves are as follows:
a) Simple leaf: A leaf that cannot be further divided into leaflets is known as a simple leaf. The leaf is attached to the stem by a petiole. The structure that comprises a simple leaf is a leaf base, where the leaf and stem are attached and expanded. The leaf blade is a green part of the plant that performs photosynthesis, it is rich in mesophyll cells. A petiole attaches leaves to stems. Green stipules are also present near the leaf base. Examples of a simple leaf are Hibiscus, mango, pear, guava, etc.
b) Compound leaf: The leaf blade is further divided into several small leaflets that are connected to the stem by the petiole. The stem is known as rachis. Two types of compound leaves are present;
i. Pinnate compound leaves: A unipinnate compound leaf can be differentiated from a branch having simple leaves by the presence of buds in the axil of leaves. Leaflets are formed after the division of the leaf. In unipinnate type, a regular arrangement of leaflets on rachis is present, while in bipinnate, a secondary axis is also present along with the primary axis. When these bipinnate leaves replace unipinnate leaves, the leaves are called tripinnate. Examples are Mimosa pudica, Moringa pudica
ii. Palmately compound leaves: Leaflets arise from a single point of the petiole. Examples include citrus, clover, etc.
From the above information, it can be concluded that in a simple leaf, the leaf is attached to the stem by petiole, while in a compound leaf, the leaf is divided into several leaflets and buds are present in the axil of leaves.
Hence, option D is the correct answer.

Note: Leaves are of many different shapes, sizes and textures. The broad, flat leaves with complex venation of flowering plants are known as megaphylls and the species that bear them, the majority, as broad-leaved or megaphyllous plants.