Question

If a leaf cell of Agava has $x$ chromosomes then what will be the number of chromosomes in a cell of its bulbil?
a. $2x$
b. $\dfrac{x}{2}$
c. $\dfrac{x}{4}$
d. $x$

Answer 1

The primary known succulent and xerophytic species is Agave. The leaves of the Agave are used to produce sweetener in food and drinks. The species of Agave have sharp teeth. The rosettes of the Agave are mostly monocarpic.

Complete answer:

The number of chromosomes in the cell of the bulbil of Agave will be the same as the leaf of Agave. The small buds that arise from a plant are called bulbil. It has the capability to produce a new plant. Due to vegetative propagation, the leaf cell and bulbil cell of Agava have a similar number of chromosomes. So the cell of bulbil of Agave will have $x$ a number of chromosomes.

The bulbil is the part of the flowering part so the number of the chromosome will not be double in the Agave plant as of leaf that is why $2x$ is the wrong answer.

The number of chromosomes in the bulbil cell of Agave will not half of the leaf cell of Agave that is why $\dfrac{x}{2}$ is the wrong answer.

The number of chromosomes in the bulbil cell will also not divide into 4 parts in the Agave plant that is why $\dfrac{x}{4}$ is a wrong answer.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Additional information:
Agave uses the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathway for adapting from their arid habitats. CAM is a photosynthetic pathway. In this process, at night carbon dioxide is fixed so that the amount of water loss will be limited from the stomata of the leaf.
Agave species can be used to make ropes, brushes, sandals, nets, etc.

Note: The modified buds that arise from the flowering axis of the Agave plant is called bulbils. It is not a separate part of the plant that is why chromosome number in this will be the same as in leaf cells. Most species of Agave reproduce through vegetative propagation and generate clonal or same rosette. This can also be considered as the reason for a similar number of chromosomes in cells of leaf and bulbil.