A potato slice shows the presence of starch with iodine solution. Where does the starch in potatoes come from? Where is the food synthesised in the plant, and how does it reach the potato?
The starch in potatoes comes from the food prepared by the leaves of the potato plant through photosynthesis.
Food is synthesised in the leaves, which are the 'food factories' of the plant.
The food prepared in the leaves is transported to all parts of the plant, including the potato (which is an underground stem), through thin tube-like structures called phloem.
The transported food gets stored in the potato in the form of starch.
Explanation
The chapter states on page 12 that leaves are the primary site for photosynthesis and that food prepared by plants in the leaves is transported to all parts through the phloem. The transported food may be stored in some parts of the plant, such as seeds and roots. Potatoes store starch as food reserve.
Solution Steps
The starch in potatoes comes from food prepared by leaves through photosynthesis
Food is synthesised in the leaves, which are the 'food factories' of the plant
Food is transported to all parts of the plant through phloem
The transported food gets stored in the potato in the form of starch