Question

Onion stores food in
(a) Underground stem
(b) Fleshy scales
(c) Root
(d) Shoot

Answer 1

Hint: Various parts of the plants are modified to perform functions other than their normal function to survive. For example food is generally stored in stems but in some plants like onion and garlic leaves are modified to store food.

Complete answer:
The lateral, generally flattened structure which is born on the stem that is developed from a node is called a leaf. The axillary bud later develops into a stem. Of the main functions of the leaf is to perform photosynthesis and transpiration but in some plants, they are modified to perform functions other than photosynthesis. Generally in the plants, the stem is used to store food but in plants like onion and garlic leaves are modified into small fleshy scales that are used to store food.

Additional information:
- Leaves are modified into different types such as tendrils, spines, phyllodes, insectivorous leaves, and vegetative leaves
- In plants like peas, leaves are modified to climb and are called tendrils.
- In onion and garlic, leaves are modified to store food. They are called fleshy leaves.
- In some plants like Australian acacia, the leaves are pinnately compound and leaflets are small and short-lived so, in these plants, the petioles expand, become green, and synthesize food. These are called phyllodes
- Some plants grow in nitrogen-deficient soils, in such plants leaves are modified to trap insects for their nitrogen. These are called insectivorous plants.
So, the correct answer is '(b) Fleshy scales'.

Note: Epiphyllous buds that arise from the notches of leaves develop adventitious roots and they detach and develop into individual plants which are commonly seen in bryophyllum-leaf. In xerophytes like cactus, in order to prevent water loss, leaves are modified into spines and these are also used for defense.