9.5 Flashcards
what are xerophytes?
plants adapted to arid dry conditions
what features do xerophytes have to conserve water?
thick waxy cuticle
sunken stomata
reduced stomata
reduced leaves
hairy leaves
curled leaves
long roots
how does a sunken stomata prevent water loss?
produces a humid microclimate which reduces the water potential gradient which means less transpiration
how does reduced leaves and stomata prevent water loss?
less stomata mean less transpiration so less water loss
less leaves means smaller SA:V ratio so less diffusion of water
how do hairy leaves prevent water loss?
same as sunken pits
what is a hydrophyte?
a plant that lives in water
what features do hydrophytes have?
very thin waxy cuticle
many open stomata
reduced plant structure
wide flat leaves
small roots
air sacs
aerenchyma
how does having many open stomata increase water loss?
more transpiration so more water loss
where are the stomata found in hydrophytes and why?
on the upper side of leaves because the lower side is not exposed to air (because of water)
why do hydrophytes have a reduced structure?
water balances the plant so stuff like a stem is not needed
why do hydrophytes have smaller roots?
they are on water so they dont need extensive roots
why do hydrophytes have air sacs?
allow them to float on water
what is aerenchyma tissue?
tissue with many air sacs which provides hydrophytes with buoyancy and allows oxygen to move into the plant
