Adaptations of Plants Flashcards
Give two processes plant leaves are adapted for
Photosynthesis
Gas exchange
What is the function of the waxy cuticle in leaves?
Reduce water loss via evaporation
How is palisade mesophyll tissue adapted to its function?
Lots of chloroplasts for photosynthesis
Near the top of the leaf, underneath the transparent upper epidermis
What does the term ‘mesophyll’ mean?
‘Middle of a leaf’.
Mesophyll is the tissue in the interior of the leaf
There is both palisade and spongy mesophyll tissue
How does the upper epidermis contribute to photosynthesis?
Transparent
Allows light to pass to palisade layer (which had lots of chloroplasts - the organelle where photosynthesis occurs)
This facilitates efficient photosynthesis
What is the function of xylem and phloem in leaves?
Xylem provides water for photosynthesis and phloem takes away glucose produced
They also help support the leaf structure
What do stomata do?
Allow CO2 to diffuse directly into the leaf
Stomata are located in the lower epidermis
Why is leaves being broad a good adaptation for efficient photosynthesis?
Large SA exposed to light needed for photosynthesis
Where is the palisade layer located in a leaf?
Near the top of the leaf
Under the transparent upper epidermis
What do waxy cuticles cover?
Epidermal tissues
Where are stomata located?
In the lower epidermis
Which has does stomata allow to diffuse directly into the leaf?
CO2
How is the spongy mesophyll layer adapted for efficient gas exchange?
Contains air spaces to increase rate of diffusion of gases in and out of the leaf’s cuticle
Which layer of the leaf has air spaces to increase rate of diffusion of gases?
Spongy mesophyll
Give 3 possible stomata adaptations of desert plants
Fewer stomata
Stomata which only open at night
(both reduce water loss via evaporation)
Stomata sunken in pits
What may desert plants like cacti have instead of leaves?
Spines
How do spines instead of leaves help desert plants to conserve water?
Reduces SA for water loss via evaporation
Spines stop animals eating the plant to get water
Reduce air flow near surface and thus diffusion from leaf to air
Give two desert plant adaptations which reduce SA
Small leaves
Spines instead of leaves
Give 4 desert plant adaptations which reduce air flow near the plant’s surface
Spines
Curled leaves
Hairs on leaf surfaces
Stomata in sunken pits
How does reducing air flow close to the plant surface help to conserve water?
Reduces diffusion from leaf to air
Give a desert plant adaptation which helps the plant to store more water
Thick, fleshy stem
What does a thick, fleshy stem hell a plant to do?
Store water
