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

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

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

ALeaves of many plants are consumed as vegetables.
BRoots of certain plants are consumed as food.
CStems of plants are never used as food sources.
DFlowers of the pumpkin plant are edible.

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

Stems of plants are never used as food sources.

Explanation

Flowering plants (angiosperms) consist of vegetative parts (roots, stems, leaves) and reproductive parts (flowers, fruits, seeds). Many of these plant organs are modified to store reserve food materials and are consumed by humans as vegetables or staples.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement Roots of certain plants are consumed as food. is Correct: The roots of many plants are modified to store food. Common examples include tap roots like carrots, radishes, turnips, and beetroots, as well as adventitious roots like sweet potatoes.
Statement Stems of plants are never used as food sources. is Incorrect: Stems are frequently used as food sources. This includes underground modified stems such as potatoes (tubers), ginger and turmeric (rhizomes), onions and garlic (bulbs), and yams (corms). Aerial stems, such as sugarcane and asparagus, are also consumed.
Statement Flowers of the pumpkin plant are edible. is Correct: Flowers of certain plants are edible and used in culinary preparations. Pumpkin flowers are commonly consumed in various cuisines. Other examples include banana flowers and the inflorescences of cauliflower and broccoli.
Statement Leaves of many plants are consumed as vegetables. is Correct: Leaves are a major category of edible plant parts, known as leafy vegetables. Examples include spinach, lettuce, cabbage, mustard greens, and coriander.

Key Takeaway:
Edible plant parts are not limited to fruits and seeds; roots, stems, leaves, and flowers often serve as significant storage organs for food and are widely consumed.

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?

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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?

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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?

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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:

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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?

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The correct option is

Stems of plants are never used as food sources.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement Roots of certain plants are consumed as food. is Correct: The roots of many plants are modified to store food. Common examples include tap roots like carrots, radishes, turnips, and beetroots, as well as adventitious roots like sweet potatoes.
Statement Stems of plants are never used as food sources. is Incorrect: Stems are frequently used as food sources. This includes underground modified stems such as potatoes (tubers), ginger and turmeric (rhizomes), onions and garlic (bulbs), and yams (corms). Aerial stems, such as sugarcane and asparagus, are also consumed.
Statement Flowers of the pumpkin plant are edible. is Correct: Flowers of certain plants are edible and used in culinary preparations. Pumpkin flowers are commonly consumed in various cuisines. Other examples include banana flowers and the inflorescences of cauliflower and broccoli.
Statement Leaves of many plants are consumed as vegetables. is Correct: Leaves are a major category of edible plant parts, known as leafy vegetables. Examples include spinach, lettuce, cabbage, mustard greens, and coriander.

Key Takeaway:
Edible plant parts are not limited to fruits and seeds; roots, stems, leaves, and flowers often serve as significant storage organs for food and are widely consumed.