Question

What is the structural difference between the tendrils of pumpkin and pea?

Answer 1

Hint: In any plant, tendrils are developed to provide support to it. Its function is the same but origin and structure may differ in different plants.

Complete answer
The plant pumpkin belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family that is commonly known as the gourd family. Whereas the plant pea belongs to the Fabaceae family that is commonly known as the pea family.
The following are the structural differences between the tendrils of pumpkin and pea

Pumpkin	Pea
1. Tendrils in pumpkin are a modification of the stem of the plant.	1. Pea is a modification of the leaves of the plant.
2. In pumpkins, the axillary buds in the stem give rise to the tendrils.	2. In peas, the tendrils are formed by leaflets.
3. Pumpkins have coiled, thin, and wiry tendrils.	3. Peas have slender but wiry and spiral tendrils.
4. Tendrils help the pumpkin plant in anchoring the plant.	4. Tendrils help the pea plant in climbing.

Additional Information:
-Grapevine’s tendrils are homologous to pumpkin’s tendrils and are analogous to that of a pea.
-Tendrils are specialized stems, leaves, or petioles that do not possess a lamina or blade. They can photosynthesize and are sensitive to chemicals. They often determine the direction of growth, as in species of Cuscuta.
-Tendrils twine around hosts based on touch perception. They avoid twining around themselves as have a form of self-discrimination. They demonstrate chemotropism based on chemoreception.

Notes:
1. The growth of organisms that are navigated by chemical stimuli from outside of the organism is said to be chemotropism. These are found in fungi, plants, and bacteria.
2. In the garden pea, only the terminal leaflets are modified to become tendrils.