Question

Which one of the following is a modified leaf?
A. Sweet potato
B. Ginger
C. Onion
D. Carrot

Answer 1

Hint: Leaf, stem, and roots of the flowering plants are modified to perform specific functions. In some plants, a compact shoot system develops that has a reduced underground stem and fleshy leaves. Its scales, leaf bases, and the buds are modified to store food substances.

Complete answer:
A typical flowering plant consists of an underground root system and the above-ground shoot system. Stem and leaves are the parts of the shoot system.

Roots of flowering plants mainly serve to anchor them in the ground and absorb water and minerals from the soil. However, the roots of some plants are also modified to store the food. Adventitious roots of sweet potato store food and become swelled. Likewise, the taproots of carrots are also modified to store the food.

The stem of flowering plants keeps them upright and serves to transport food, water, and minerals between roots and the leaves. However, the perennial underground stem of ginger serves to store the food and is an example of a rhizome.

Leaves of the flowering plants are mainly involved in the process of photosynthesis. However, the leaves of the onion plant become fleshy and swollen to store water and food substances. The onion bulb represents the reduced disc-shaped stem while its fleshy scales are the leaf bases.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: The onion bulb, as a whole, represents the modified underground stem. The base of the bulb has roots. However, the swollen scales of the bulb that surround the terminal bud are modification of leaves to store food.