Question

Asexual reproduction takes place by means of
(a) Roots
(b) Stems
(c) Leaves and buds
(d) All of these

Answer 1

Hint: Reproduction is one of the features of living organisms that is of immense importance for the continuity of any species. It is two types based on the number of parents involved. Asexual reproduction takes place by means of structures where meiosis or reductive division does not occur.

Complete answer:
Asexual reproduction is uniparental and does not involve the fusion of germ cells or fertilization. It involves somatic cells instead of germ cells or reproductive cells. Asexual reproduction in plants may be agamospermy or vegetative reproduction. In agamospermy, the seeds are formed by the absence of any fusion of gametes, while the integuments of female gametophyte i.e the embryo sac gives rise to the embryo. Vegetative reproduction is another type of asexual reproduction in plants wherein the vegetative part or somatic parts like roots, stems, leaves, and buds gives birth to a whole new plant. E.g grafting.

Additional Information: -Runners are a type of vegetative reproduction wherein the stem runs horizontally to the ground and bear buds at its nodes. Upon getting in contact with the ground at short intervals, this bud germinates with roots and stems sprouting from it and later giving birth to a full-fledged plant with a vertical stem. E.g strawberry, peppermint.
-Vegetative reproduction by roots occurs in plants like sweet potato and Dahlia. Adventitious buds develop on the roots and give birth to new plants.
-In Bryophyllum, buds develop at the notches or margins of the leaves. Such buds are known as epiphyllous buds as they have arisen from leaves rather than the node of the stem. When these buds fall on the ground, upon encountering a suitable substratum, it germinates into a full-fledged adult plant.
So, the correct answer is ‘All of these.’

Note: Grafting is a type of vegetative reproduction or horticulture technique in plants which is well exploited by the gardeners. In grafting, a plant is inserted into another plant, so as to be nourished by it and united with it. Grafting is especially successful in dicotyledonous plants, where the stem has a cambium layer. Some common plants that can be grown by grafting include apple, mango, and citrus.