Leaving Cert Biology Plant Responses & Seed Growth: The runner is a modified stem. H

Question

The runner is a modified stem. How could you tell this from  
1. external observation? 
- You would observe buds or nodes on the runner, which indicate its function as a stem. Additionally, the presence of leaves and stems along the runner further supports the identification as a modified stem.
 
2. viewing a thin section of it under the microscope? 
- Under the microscope, you would see vascular bundles, confirming the structure as a stem, as these are not present in other plant parts like leaves.
 
(b) What term is used for the type of asexual reproduction that produced the daughter plant? 
- The term is vegetative propagation.
 
(c) Would you expect the daughter plant to be haploid or diploid? 
- Diploid. The daughter plant will have two sets of chromosomes, as it grows from the parent plant through mitosis.
 
Explain your answer. 
- This occurs as a result of mitosis, which produces genetically identical cells to the parent, maintaining the diploid state.
 
(d) What evidence is there in the diagram that sexual reproduction has also taken place? 
- The diagram shows fruits or (straw)berries or seeds, suggesting the process of sexual reproduction has occurred as seeds are produced through this method.
 
(e) Give one method, other than runners, and not involving seeds, that is used by horticulturists to produce new plants. 
- Cuttings or layering or grafting or micro-propagation or tissue culture.

The runner is a modified stem - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 4 - 2013

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The runner is a modified stem - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 4 - 2013

1. external observation?

2. viewing a thin section of it under the microscope?

What term is used for the type of asexual reproduction that produced the daughter plant?

Would you expect the daughter plant to be haploid or diploid?

Explain your answer.

What evidence is there in the diagram that sexual reproduction has also taken place?

Give one method, other than runners, and not involving seeds, that is used by horticulturists to produce new plants.

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