Consider the following statements regarding edible parts of plants: 1. Only the fruits of plants are edible for humans. 2. Certain plants, such as mustard, have more than one edible part. 3. Flowers of plants are generally not used as food ingredients in any region of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (b). Explanation Plants are a primary source of food for humans. The edible parts of a plant are not limited to fruits but extend to roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds, depending on the plant species. - Statement 1 is Incorrect: Humans consume various parts of plants, not just fruits. Common examples include roots (carrot, radish), stems (potato, sugarcane, ginger), leaves (spinach, coriander), and seeds (pulses, cereals). - Statement 2 is Correct: Certain plants possess multiple edible parts. A prominent example is the mustard plant; its seeds are used to extract oil and as a spice, while its leaves are consumed as a vegetable. Similarly, the banana plant provides edible fruit, flowers, and stems. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: Flowers of several plants are widely used as food ingredients in Indian cuisine. For instance, flowers of pumpkin, banana, and kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) are cooked as vegetables or made into fritters in different regions. Key Takeaway: Edibility in plants is diverse; roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds can all serve as food sources. Some plants, such as mustard and banana, provide more than one edible part.

NCERT Class 6 Science — Chapter 1: Food: Where does it come from?

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding edible parts of plants:

Only the fruits of plants are edible for humans.
Certain plants, such as mustard, have more than one edible part.
Flowers of plants are generally not used as food ingredients in any region of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

Plants are a primary source of food for humans. The edible parts of a plant are not limited to fruits but extend to roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds, depending on the plant species.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Humans consume various parts of plants, not just fruits. Common examples include roots (carrot, radish), stems (potato, sugarcane, ginger), leaves (spinach, coriander), and seeds (pulses, cereals).
Statement 2 is Correct: Certain plants possess multiple edible parts. A prominent example is the mustard plant; its seeds are used to extract oil and as a spice, while its leaves are consumed as a vegetable. Similarly, the banana plant provides edible fruit, flowers, and stems.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Flowers of several plants are widely used as food ingredients in Indian cuisine. For instance, flowers of pumpkin, banana, and kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) are cooked as vegetables or made into fritters in different regions.

Key Takeaway: Edibility in plants is diverse; roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds can all serve as food sources. Some plants, such as mustard and banana, provide more than one edible part.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Food: Where does it come from?

With reference to the sources of oil used in cooking, consider the following statements: 1. Vegetable oils are obtained from the seeds of plants. 2. No animal product serves as a source of oil or fat for human consumption. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

With reference to the mustard plant, consider the following statements: 1. The seeds of the mustard plant are used to extract oil. 2. The roots of the mustard plant are the primary source of cooking oil. 3. The leaves of the plant are used as a vegetable. Which of the statements given above are correct?

easy

Consider the following ingredients used in cooking: 1. Chilli 2. Soybean oil 3. Pumpkin Which of the above are correctly matched with the plant part they are derived from? 1. Chilli is a modified root of the plant. 2. Soybean oil is extracted from the seeds of the plant. 3. Pumpkin is the fruit part of the plant. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

Which of the following statements regarding plant parts used as food sources is NOT correct?

easy

With reference to the banana plant, consider the following statements: 1. The banana plant is characterized by having only one edible part. 2. Multiple parts of the banana plant, such as the flower and stem, can be used as food. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Keep practising Chapter 1: Food: Where does it come from?

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 6 Science chapters

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

Plants are a primary source of food for humans. The edible parts of a plant are not limited to fruits but extend to roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds, depending on the plant species.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Humans consume various parts of plants, not just fruits. Common examples include roots (carrot, radish), stems (potato, sugarcane, ginger), leaves (spinach, coriander), and seeds (pulses, cereals).
Statement 2 is Correct: Certain plants possess multiple edible parts. A prominent example is the mustard plant; its seeds are used to extract oil and as a spice, while its leaves are consumed as a vegetable. Similarly, the banana plant provides edible fruit, flowers, and stems.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Flowers of several plants are widely used as food ingredients in Indian cuisine. For instance, flowers of pumpkin, banana, and kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) are cooked as vegetables or made into fritters in different regions.

Key Takeaway: Edibility in plants is diverse; roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds can all serve as food sources. Some plants, such as mustard and banana, provide more than one edible part.