Question

Radical leaves are characteristics of
A. Maize
B. Sugarcane
C. Mango
D. Radish

Answer 1

A leaf is the prime or principal lateral appendage of the vascular stem of the plant. It is usually present above the ground and is the chief specialized part of the plant which is responsible for photosynthesis.

_Complete answer: _
The leaves are the most important organs in vascular plants. The green plants are also known as autotrophs or producers as they do not obtain food from other organisms but they manufacture their own food by the process of photosynthesis. In the process of photosynthesis, the plants convert the light energy of the sun to chemical energy by producing energy rich compounds. This process also requires water and carbon-di-oxide and uses it to produce simple sugar compounds.
The leaves are the prime organ which are involved in the process of transpiration. The epidermis of leaves bear small openings which are known as the stomata and it helps in the exchange of carbon-di-oxide from the atmosphere and oxygen is released as a by-product of photosynthesis.
The structure of the leaves is typically broad, flat and dorsoventrally flattened. This structure of the leaves allows for maximum exposure to the sunlight that is needed to promote photosynthesis. However, various types of variations in leaf are found in the plant kingdom. Leaves are classified into different groups based on their shapes, size, arrangements on the stem and other attributes.
Radical leaves are the types of leaves that arise from the base of the stem. The radical leaves may also arise from the rhizome that is arising directly from the ground. The arrangement of radical leaves in some of the species, are arranged in a bundle of rose like pattern or rosette pattern.
The development of radical leaves in some species of plants, follows an initial stage. The initial stage is followed by the production of an upright stem but this condition may not be found in other species and there is no growth of distinct aerial stem. Radial leaves are arranged alternately but with very less spaces between the nodes. Radial leaves are not whorled.

> This type of leaves are the characteristics of the radish plants and thus, the correct option is option (D) radish.

Note: Radical leaves are the leaves that arise either from an upright stem or may arise from the rhizome developed from the root. They are arranged in a rosette manner and are found in radish.