Question

Ginger is a stem which can be differentiated from root because it
A. Grows parallel to ground
B. Stores food
C. Lacks chlorophyll
D. Has nodes and internodes

Answer 1

Ginger is botanically known as Zingiber officinale belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. It is widely used in folk medicine and is commonly used as an important spice in several types of cuisine. It bears a pungent, spicy and aromatic fragrance.

Complete answer:
Ginger is a herbaceous perennial and flowering plant. It grows to about one meter tall and it bears narrow leaf blades. The plant grows from the annual pseudo stems. Pseudo stems are the false stems that are made up of rolled bases of leaves. Ginger is considered as a rhizome and it is the modification of the stem. The stems of ginger are underground stems. These are modified plants and are derived from the stem tissues. The stem exists below the ground level and so it is referred to as the rhizome or rhizome roots. The rhizomes bears reduced scaly leaves. The top of the rhizome can generate leafy stems and produce flowers. They are known to function as storage for the food and other nutrients. Rhizomes are also known as creeping stalks. The rhizomes of ginger are considered as stems and not as roots as it contains nodes and internodes. They are known to lack chlorophyll. The nodes and internodes are able to grow into leaves or stalks of leaves. The nodes may also contain scaly leaves. The rhizome of ginger gives off the aerial leafy shoot and at its base it enlarges to form the rhizome part. This part also stores food and other nutrients. The rhizome moves horizontally below the level of the ground.
The underground rhizome of ginger is unable to undertake the process of photosynthesis and as a result they do not contain chlorophylls. The rhizomes are structures that are able to store food and helps in the process of asexual reproduction. They remain protected from desiccation and are able to germinate in the next season.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Ginger is an important and commonly used rhizome. It is a rhizome which is a modified stem of the plant. The rhizome of ginger bears nodes and internodes and scaly leaves are also present. In the roots, nodes and internodes are not present and so, ginger is a stem and it is differentiated from the roots.