Highest osmotic pressure shown by a) xerophytes b) halophytes c) hydro...
Shown by halophytes as they have high concentration of salt thus have large number of solutes which makes the solution osmotically active and increases the osmotic pressure.This high osmotic potential allows water absorption by halophytes..
So correct option z ( b)
Highest osmotic pressure shown by a) xerophytes b) halophytes c) hydro...
Xerophytes:
Xerophytes are plants that are adapted to grow in dry environments with limited water availability. They have various mechanisms to conserve water and prevent excessive water loss. The highest osmotic pressure shown by xerophytes is due to their adaptation to retain water in their cells.
- Osmotic Pressure: Osmotic pressure is the pressure exerted by the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane due to differences in solute concentration. It is directly related to the concentration of solutes in a solution.
- Xerophytes Adaptations: Xerophytes have several adaptations to survive in arid conditions. These adaptations include:
1. Succulence: Some xerophytes have specialized water storage tissues, such as succulent leaves or stems, to store water during periods of water scarcity. These tissues have high solute concentrations, resulting in high osmotic pressure.
2. CAM Photosynthesis: Many xerophytes use Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis. They open their stomata at night to take in carbon dioxide and fix it into organic acids. During the day, the stomata remain closed to prevent water loss. This adaptation helps maintain high osmotic pressure in the cells.
3. Reduced Leaf Surface Area: Xerophytes often have reduced leaf surface area or modified leaves to minimize water loss through transpiration. This reduces the amount of water that needs to be absorbed by the roots, maintaining higher osmotic pressure in the cells.
4. Thick Cuticle: Xerophytes have a thick cuticle on their leaves to reduce water loss through evaporation. The cuticle acts as a barrier, maintaining high osmotic pressure within the cells.
5. Root Adaptations: Xerophytes often have deep and extensive root systems to access water from deeper soil layers. These roots may also have adaptations to increase water absorption, such as root hairs or mycorrhizal associations. This helps maintain high osmotic pressure in the cells.
Halophytes:
Halophytes are plants that are adapted to grow in saline environments with high salt concentrations. They have specialized adaptations to tolerate and regulate the uptake and accumulation of salts. The highest osmotic pressure shown by halophytes is due to their ability to maintain cellular function in high salt concentrations.
- Osmotic Pressure: Osmotic pressure is the pressure exerted by the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane due to differences in solute concentration. It is directly related to the concentration of solutes in a solution.
- Halophytes Adaptations: Halophytes have several adaptations to survive in saline conditions. These adaptations include:
1. Salt Glands: Halophytes have specialized salt glands that excrete excess salts from their tissues. This helps maintain a lower salt concentration within the cells and prevents excessive osmotic pressure buildup.
2. Salt Tolerance Mechanisms: Halophytes have mechanisms to tolerate high salt concentrations. They may have the ability to compartmentalize salts in vacuoles or have specific ion transporters that regulate
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