Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

What is the function of the axillary bud on the stem?

1. A. To provide food storage

2. B. To help heal wounds of the plant

3. C. To produce a new leaf or stem

4. D. To aid in seed dispersal

The correct answer is: C. To produce a new leaf or stem

The axillary bud, found in the leaf axil of a plant, primarily serves the function of producing new leaves or stems. These buds are crucial for the growth and development of the plant, as they can either develop into new branches or flowers, contributing to the plant's ability to expand and reproduce. This capability is essential for vegetative propagation, allowing a plant to produce more biomass, enhance its shape, and optimize light collection for photosynthesis. While food storage, wound healing, and seed dispersal are important functions in the life cycle of a plant, they are not the direct roles of the axillary bud. Food storage is typically managed by roots and some stems or specialized structures like tubers. Healing wounds involves various processes and tissues, including the cambium layer and callus formation, rather than axillary buds. Lastly, seed dispersal is facilitated by various structures, such as fruits and mechanisms that help to disseminate seeds, rather than the axillary buds themselves.