Video Transcript
The picture shows the method of
natural vegetative propagation that potatoes can use to reproduce. Which of the following allow potato
plants to reproduce by natural vegetative propagation? (A) Offshoots, (B) bulbs, (C)
tubers, or (D) seeds.
This question asks us about a
reproductive process called natural vegetative propagation. Vegetative propagation is a type of
asexual reproduction where a new plant will grow from part of a parent plant. We are asked to decide which of the
answer choices allows potato plants to reproduce by natural vegetative
propagation.
Let’s first discuss the term
“offshoot.” These are modified stems that
sprout off horizontally from the main stem of a mature adult plant to produce a new,
genetically identical plant. This cannot be the correct answer,
as we can see in the image provided by the question that there are no shoots
produced that run horizontally parallel to the ground. So, we can eliminate answer choice
(A).
Answer choice (B) refers to
bulbs. A bulb is a layered, underground
food storage organ that consists of fleshy leaf, root, and stem tissue. Bulbs are capable of developing
into new plants. Bulbs are produced in plants like
onions, daffodils, and tulips. Potatoes are not an example of a
plant that produces bulbs. So, we can eliminate option
(B).
Answer choice (C) refers to
tubers. A tuber is an underground food
store rich in carbohydrates that can be produced by some plants. A tuber is capable of growing into
a new plant. The surface of a tuber has regions
called buds, nodes, or eyes. The division of cells in these
areas is what causes sprouts to grow from the tuber. This is what we can see happening
in the image provided by the question.
We are now able to answer our
question correctly. The correct answer to the question
“Which of the following allow potato plants to reproduce by natural vegetative
propagation?” is (C), tubers.
