Video Transcript
The image provided shows different
methods with which plants can reproduce asexually. What plant uses which method? (A) The potato reproduces by
forming tubers, the strawberry reproduces by growing offshoots, the onion reproduces
by forming bulbs, and the ginger reproduces by forming rhizomes. (B) The potato reproduces by
forming rhizomes, the strawberry can only reproduce by forming flowers, the onion
reproduces by forming tubers, and the ginger reproduces like the potato by forming
rhizomes. (C) The potato reproduces by
growing offshoots, the strawberry reproduces by growing tubers, the onion reproduces
by forming rhizomes, and the ginger reproduces by forming bulbs. Or (D) both the potato and the
strawberry reproduce by growing offshoots, the onion reproduces by forming rhizomes
and by building bulbs, and the ginger reproduces by forming tubers.
This question involves asexual
reproduction in plants, which is often referred to as vegetative propagation. Let’s remove the answer choices for
now so we can take a closer look at the provided diagram. We can bring them back once we’re
ready to select the correct answer. During vegetative propagation, a
new genetically identical plant grows from part of a single parent plant. Depending upon the species, new
plants can arise from leaves, stems, roots, or buds, although flower buds are an
exception, as they are involved in sexual reproduction.
Let’s briefly go through the
examples of vegetative propagation shown in our diagram. Some plants produce swollen
underground stems that store carbohydrates, called tubers. The carbohydrates stored in tubers
can be broken down to provide energy to the aboveground plant structures or used to
fuel cell division of buds on the surface of the tuber. The buds can develop into new
shoots and roots, and eventually a new plant will grow from the tuber. You’ve probably eaten tubers
before, because jicama, yams, and potatoes all produce them.
Bulbs are similar to tubers in that
they store carbohydrates underground and can develop into new plants. However, in a bulb, the stem is
covered by layers of modified leaves that surround a bud. Roots grow out from the bottom of
the bulb. And when conditions are ideal, new
shoots will sprout from the top. Examples of plants that reproduce
with bulbs are tulips and onions. Yet another underground stem that
stores carbohydrates is called a rhizome.
Rhizomes differ from tubers and
bulbs in that they grow horizontally. While still attached, they produced
buds that send out new shoots and roots for the parent plant. But if the fragment of the rhizome
is separated from the parent plant, it can develop into a new genetically identical
plant, or a clone. Asparagus and ginger are two
delicious examples of plants that reproduce with rhizomes.
Offshoots are another way that
plants can undergo vegetative propagation. Like rhizomes, offshoots grow
horizontally. However, they differ from tubers,
bulbs, and rhizomes in that they grow on the surface of the soil, instead of
underground. Once they have grown far enough
away from the parent plant, they can grow roots and shoots of their own, eventually
developing into mature clones. Strawberries are perhaps the best
known example of a plant that reproduces with offshoots. But many grasses, such as Bermuda
grass, also use them.
Now that we have covered the
examples of asexual plant reproduction in the diagram, let’s bring back our answer
options and find the correct one. We can see that option (A) is
correct. The potato reproduces by forming
tubers, the strawberry reproduces by growing offshoots, the onion reproduces by
forming bulbs, and the ginger reproduces by forming rhizomes.
