Understanding the Analogy: Potato and Stevia Relationship

The question asks us to find a word that relates to 'Stevia' in the same way that 'Starch' relates to 'Potato'. This is an analogy question that tests our understanding of relationships between common items.

Analyzing the First Pair: Potato and Starch

Let's look at the relationship between the first pair: 'Potato' and 'Starch'.

• A potato is a common root vegetable.
• Starch is a type of carbohydrate that is stored in plants, including potatoes.
• Potatoes are a significant natural source of starch.

So, the relationship is that the first word (Potato) is a source of the substance mentioned in the second word (Starch).

Applying the Relationship to the Second Pair: Stevia and the Options

Now, we need to find which of the given options has a similar relationship with 'Stevia'. Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is often used as a sugar substitute because it tastes sweet but has virtually no calories.

Let's examine the options:

• Option 1: Salt
  Stevia is a sweetener, not related to salt which is a mineral compound known for its salty taste.
• Option 2: Milk
  Stevia is a plant-derived sweetener, not related to milk, which is a dairy product.
• Option 3: Butter
  Stevia is a sweetener, not related to butter, which is a fat derived from milk.
• Option 4: Sugar
  Stevia is known primarily for its sweet taste and is widely used as a substitute for sugar. While Stevia doesn't contain sugar (sucrose), it contains sweet compounds (steviol glycosides) that provide sweetness much like sugar does. It serves the same purpose as sugar in sweetening food and drinks. Therefore, Stevia is related to the concept of 'Sugar' as a source of sweetness or a replacement for sugar, just as a Potato is a source of Starch.

Considering the functional similarity and use as a sweetening agent, 'Sugar' fits the analogy. Stevia provides the function and taste commonly associated with sugar, much like potatoes provide starch.

Conclusion on the Stevia Analogy

The analogy "Potato : Starch ∷ Stevia : ?" is best completed by 'Sugar' because a potato is a source of starch, and stevia is a source of sweetness that replaces or is analogous to sugar.

Thus, the word that completes the analogy is 'Sugar'.

Revision Table: Key Concepts Reviewed

Additional Information on Stevia and Starch

Starch: Starch is a polysaccharide, meaning it's a large molecule made up of many smaller sugar units (glucose) linked together. Plants produce starch during photosynthesis and store it in various parts like roots, tubers (like potatoes), seeds, and fruits. When we eat starch, our bodies break it down into glucose, which is used for energy.

Stevia: Stevia gets its sweetness from compounds called steviol glycosides. These compounds are much sweeter than sugar (sucrose) but are not metabolized by the human body in the same way as sugar carbohydrates. This is why stevia provides sweetness without the calories associated with sugar, making it popular for people managing blood sugar levels or calorie intake. While not chemically a sugar, its role and taste make it analogous to sugar in many contexts.