Question

Which of the following represents the edible swollen portion of Allium cepa?
(A) Aerial stem
(B) Underground stem
(C) Internodes
(D) Leaf bases

Answer 1

The onion is also recognised as the bulb onion or common onion. It is a vegetable that is the most extensively cultivated species of the genus allium. Its close family consists of the garlic, scallion and Chinese onion. The onion is a biennial or a perennial plant.

Complete answer:
In order to resolve this question, we want to recognize greater about Allium cepa. Allium cepa:
Allium cepa, usually regarded as onion, is a global culinary and therapeutic spice belonging to the family Liliaceous. Onion is a vital ingredient in many African sauces and Egypt being the first producer in the continent. Onion is a source of quite a number biologically lively compounds, such as phenolic acids, thiosulfates, and flavonoids etc. The plant has a variety of pharmacological activities inclusive of anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, cardiovascular, antioxidant effects, etc., justifying its feasible use in the cure of a number of human ailments.

Edible parts: Edible parts are these parts of the plant which are fit for human consumption or which can be eaten like stem, leaves etc.
Non safe to eat parts: Non edible components are those parts of the plant which can now not be eaten. Edible swollen phase of Allium cepa is leaf bases.
Onion (Allium cepa) is a short, modified and underground stem protected via fleshy modified leaves that contain stored food for the shoot.

Therefore the fit to be eaten part of the onion is fleshy leaves.
Aerial stem: A stem with a vertical growth above the ground.
Underground Stem: Underground stems are modified flowers that originate from stem tissue but exist beneath the soil surface.
Internodes: A phase of a plant stem between two nodes.
Leaf bases: The leaf base is the lowest phase of a leaf lamina that is close to the petiole.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D)

Note: Flower is referred to as a reproductive part of the plant found in angiosperms. Flower posses two types of symmetries namely:
1. Actinomorphic (Radial symmetry).
2. Zygomorphic (Bilateral symmetry).
Parts of flower are:
1. Calyx
2. Corolla
3. Pedicle
4. Gynoecium
5. Androecium