B16.8 Adaptions in plants

Question 1

What is the role of the stomata?

Answer 1

Allow gases in and out out for photosynthesis and respiration
Water vapour is lost here through diffusion

Question 2

How are plants adapted by changing their surface area?

Answer 2

Have curled leaves to reduce surface area - so less water diffuses out

Question 3

How are cacti adapted?

Answer 3

Leaves have been reduced to spins with very small surface area - so they lose a tiny amount of water - spins also discourage animals from eating them

Question 4

How do plants collect water?

Answer 4

Extensive root systems that spread very wide and deep - allowing plants to take as much water as possible

Question 5

How do plants store water?

Answer 5

Storing water in their tissues or in their stems/roots

Fat-body of cacti is a stem which stores water

Question 6

Why do plants need water?

Answer 6

Photosynthesis
Cell support
Tissue support
Transport of substances around plant

Question 7

What are some adaptions of plants living in a hot desert?

Answer 7

Curled leaves – reduced surface area, traps moist air to reduce evaporation
• Small leaves – reduced surface area,
• Thick cuticle – reduced rate of evaporation,
• Stem‑like leaves – reduced number of stomata to minimise water loss by diffusion into air.