Plants give out water through the pores present on the lower side of t...
Desert plants have adapted to their environment to minimize water loss. One common adaptation is the modification of leaves into spines. This reduces the surface area through which water can be lost, significantly decreasing transpiration.
Therefore, the correct adaptation developed by desert plants to manage water loss is:
Their leaves are modified into spines.
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Plants give out water through the pores present on the lower side of t...
Desert plants have developed various adaptations to cope with the scarcity of water in their environment. One such adaptation is the modification of their leaves into spines.
1. Reduced Surface Area: Desert plants have evolved to have smaller or modified leaves in the form of spines. This reduces the surface area of the leaves, minimizing water loss through transpiration. Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor through tiny pores called stomata on the surface of their leaves. By having spines instead of regular leaves, desert plants reduce the overall surface area available for transpiration, thus conserving water.
2. Thick Cuticle: The spines of desert plants also have a thick waxy cuticle covering their surface. The cuticle acts as a waterproof barrier, preventing excessive loss of water through evaporation. It helps in reducing transpiration rates by preventing water from escaping through the spines.
3. Sunken Stomata: Some desert plants, such as cacti, have their stomata located in sunken pits on the surface of their stems rather than on their spines. This adaptation helps to reduce water loss by minimizing exposure to air currents and reducing the surface area of the stomata directly exposed to the dry desert air.
4. CAM Photosynthesis: Many desert plants have also evolved a specialized form of photosynthesis called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). CAM plants open their stomata at night when the temperature is cooler and the humidity is higher, allowing them to take in carbon dioxide. They then close their stomata during the day to reduce water loss through transpiration. This adaptation helps desert plants to conserve water while still carrying out photosynthesis.
Conclusion: Desert plants have developed a range of adaptations to survive in arid environments, including the modification of their leaves into spines. This adaptation helps them to reduce water loss through transpiration by minimizing the surface area, having a thick cuticle, locating stomata in sunken pits, and employing CAM photosynthesis. By conserving water, these plants are able to thrive in desert conditions where water is scarce.
Plants give out water through the pores present on the lower side of t...
A) They have lots of branches and leaves.
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