Question:

Plasticity in plant growth means that

Updated On: Jul 28, 2022
  • plant roots are extensible
  • plant development is dependent on the environment
  • stems can extend
  • none of the above
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Different kinds of structures develop in plants in different phases of growth or in response to environment. This ability is called plasticity.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Concepts Used:

Development

Development is a term that comprises all changes that an organism goes through during its life cycle from germination of the seed to senescence. Diagrammatic representation of the series of processes that constitute the development of a cell of a higher plant.

Sequence of the developmental process in a plant cell
The sequence of the developmental process in a plant cell

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

Thus, growth, differentiation, and development are very closely related events in the life of a plant. Generally, development is considered as the sum total of growth and differentiation. Developmental growth in plants (i.e., both growth and differentiation) is under the control of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The former involves both intracellular (genetic), and intercellular factors (chemicals like plant growth regulators) while the latter involves light, water, oxygen, temperature, nutrition, etc. 

Read More: Plant Growth and Development