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Describe various stem modifications associated with food storage, climbing and protection.

GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer

Solution:

  1. Food Storage (Underground Stems):
  2. Rhizome (ginger, turmeric):
  • Horizontal, underground stem
  • Nodes, internodes, scale leaves, buds present
  1. Tuber (potato):
  • Swollen tip of underground branch
  • "Eyes" are axillary buds
  1. Corm (Colocasia, Amorphophallus):
  • Vertical, underground stem
  • One or two internodes
  • Covered with scale leaves
  1. Climbing:

Stem Tendrils (grapevine, passion flower):

  • Slender, coiled, modified axillary buds
  • Sensitive to touch

III. Protection:

Thorns (citrus, Bougainvillea):

  • Woody, straight, pointed modified stems
  • Protect from herbivores

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General · Class 12