MODIFIED PLANT FOOD STORAGE ORGANS 3.3.2 MODIFIED PLANT FOOD STORAGE ORGANS

One example of a root, stem and leaf modified as a food storage organ Need to know One example of a root, stem and leaf modified as a food storage organ

ROOT MODIFIED TO STORE FOOD Example Carrot Dicot plants, e.g. carrots produce one main tap root This root becomes fleshy and swollen with stored starch

STEM MODIFIED TO STORE FOOD Potatoe Example Potatoes have an underground stem system The tips of these stems become swollen with stored starch The swollen tips are called Tubers

Potatoe Tuber….a swollen stem tip Apical Bud Lenticel Lateral Bud

LEAF MODIFIED TO STORE FOOD Onion bulb Example Is a reduced underground stem With fleshy leaves swollen with stored starch Surrounding a central apical bud

Onion Bulb Dry Scaley leaves Fleshy leaves Apical Bud Reduced stem Adventitious roots

Learning Check Give an example of a stem modified to store food. Give an example of a root modified to store food. In what form is the food stored ? What is a bulb ?

See also section 3.6.1 Vegetative reproduction in plants

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