In which form of reproduction will pieces of the plant develop into identical copies of the plant
The form of reproduction you're referring to is called asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction in plants involves the production of new individuals from existing plant parts, such as stems, roots, or leaves, without the involvement of gametes (sperm and eggs) or fertilization.
There are several methods by which pieces of a plant can develop into identical copies:
1. Runners or stolons: Some plants, like strawberries, produce horizontal stems called runners or stolons. These stems grow along the ground, and at certain intervals, they produce new plantlets with roots and shoots that are genetically identical to the parent plant.
2. Rhizomes: Plants such as bamboo and ginger produce underground, horizontal stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes develop roots and shoots at various intervals, creating new plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant.
3. Bulbs: Bulb plants, like onions and lilies, have underground structures called bulbs. These bulbs consist of modified leaves that store nutrients. As the bulb grows, it produces genetically identical offsets or bulblets that develop into separate plants.
4. Corms: Similar to bulbs, corms are swollen underground stems found in plants like gladioli and crocuses. Corms produce new corms on top or around the base, which eventually become genetically identical plants.
5. Fragmentation: Some plants have the ability to regenerate from fragments. If a piece of the plant, such as a stem or leaf, is detached, it can produce roots and shoots, eventually developing into a complete, genetically identical plant.
These are just a few examples of how plants can reproduce asexually and produce identical copies of themselves from various plant parts.