Question

The picture given below depicts the phenomenon of heterophylly of a plant. Find the incorrect statement with reference to the same.

• A. The type of heterophylly seen in A and B is an example of plasticity in plants.
• B. The appearance of leaf A is due to the developmental changes underwent by the plant in a terrestrial habitat.
• C. Heterophylly is prominently observed between the juvenile and mature stages in cotton plants.
• D. The appearance of leaf B caters to the foliage found in forests.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Plants follow different pathways in response to environment or phases of life to form different kinds of structures. This ability is called plasticity, e.g., heterophylly in cotton, coriander and larkspur. In such plants, the leaves of the juvenile plant are different in shape from those in mature plants. On the other hand, difference in shapes of leaves produced in air and those produced in water in buttercup also represent the heterophyllous development due to environment. This phenomenon of heterophylly is an example of plasticity.