Leaf Adaptations - Topic 1 (Plant Science II), Element 1 Flashcards
What are some adaptations of leaves?
- hairy
- waxy
- coloured
- rolled
- variegated
- reduced
- succulent
- oils
- aerenchyma cells
- bulbs
These adaptations help leaves perform multiple functions for plants.
What are the advantages of leaf adaptations for plants?
- reduced transpiration
- increased humidity
- reflection of light
- cooling of leaf
- storage of water
- protection from herbivory
- buoyancy in aquatics
These advantages enhance plant survival and efficiency.
What is the primary function of leaves?
Photosynthesis
This is the main process through which leaves convert light energy into chemical energy.
What structure allows leaves to track the sun?
Pulvinus
This joint-like structure at the base of the petiole enables movement for optimal light capture.
How do pulvini assist leaves on hot days?
They angle leaves to reduce direct sunlight exposure
This adaptation helps prevent overheating of the leaf.
What are shade-tolerant plants adapted to?
Low light levels
These plants possess more chlorophyll per cell, resulting in darker green leaves.
What is the characteristic of leaves in habitats with high rainfall?
They often have grooves that form drip-tips
This adaptation allows excess water to run off quickly.
What is totipotency in plant cells?
The ability of plant cells to differentiate into another type of cell
This allows for propagation from various plant parts.
What type of veins are common in Monocots?
Parallel veins
This vein structure is a distinguishing feature of monocotyledons.
What type of veins are common in Eudicots?
Networks of veins
This structure is characteristic of eudicotyledons.
What is a drip-tip in leaves?
A pointed tip that allows water to run off easily
This feature is particularly useful in high rainfall environments.
Fill in the blank: Leaves also cool plants through ______________.
transpiration
This process helps regulate temperature in plants.
*
What is the difference between simple and compound leaves?
Simple leaves consist of a single blade, while compound leaves have multiple leaflets
This classification affects leaf function and morphology.
Na
True or False: Shade-intolerant plants have more chlorophyll per cell than shade-tolerant plants.
False
Shade-tolerant plants are adapted to low light and have more chlorophyll.
What are the benefits of reduced leaf size?
To reduce water loss
This adaptation is crucial in arid environments.
What type of leaves do plants in tropical rainforests typically have?
Grooved leaves with drip-tips
These adaptations help manage excess water.
What are some examples of leaf adaptations?
- hairy
- waxy
- coloured
- rolled
- variegated
- reduced
- succulent
- oils
- aerenchyma cells
- bulbs
These adaptations provide various advantages to plants.
What is the advantage of reduced transpiration in leaf adaptations?
Helps conserve water
Reduced transpiration is especially beneficial in arid environments.
True or False: Large leaves are typically found in plants from dry habitats.
False
Large leaves are often found in habitats where water is readily available.
What is the general term for hair-like structures on leaves?
Trichomes
Trichomes can vary in type, including lanate, pilose, hirsute, and tomentose.
What are some advantages of leaf hairs?
- Insulate from heat
- Increase humidity of air around leaves
- Catch water from the air
- Reflect away sunlight
- Channel water
- Insulate against cold
These adaptations help plants survive in various environmental conditions.
What is the purpose of a waxy surface on leaves?
Reduces water loss through evaporation
Waxy surfaces are common in plants from arid environments.
What is variegation in leaves?
Leaves that are missing some chlorophyll, causing pale whitish or yellow parts
Variegated plants are often ornamental.
Fill in the blank: Plants adapted to live in dry habitats are called _______.
xerophytes
Xerophytes exhibit various adaptations, including succulence.
What is aerenchyma?
Spongy, air-filled tissue in some aquatic plants
Aerenchyma helps with buoyancy and gas exchange.
What is the function of leaf oils in plants?
Deterrent against herbivores and pathogens
Oils can also be extracted for essential oils and have strong scents.
True or False: Bulbs are formed from modified stems.
False
Bulbs are formed from modified leaves.
What role do spines on leaves serve?
Defense against browsing animals
Spines deter herbivores from consuming the foliage.
What is the function of leaf size in relation to the environment?
Small leaves reduce evaporation in dry habitats; large leaves increase photosynthesis in water-rich environments
Leaf size is a key adaptation to environmental conditions.
What is the effect of leaf color on plant selection in gardening?
Influences design combinations and seasonal interest
Color and form can create focal points in garden design.
Fill in the blank: Some plants develop red and purple coloration in their leaves when exposed to _______.
strong sunlight
This pigmentation helps absorb harmful ultraviolet light.
What is the significance of Senescing foliage?
Leaves change color dramatically at different times of the year
This feature can enhance garden aesthetics.
What is the advantage of having stomata sunken into the leaf surface?
Creates a humid microclimate around the stomata, reducing evaporation
This adaptation helps plants survive in dry conditions.
What is allelopathy?
Chemicals produced by plants that affect the growth and survival of other plants
Juglans nigra (Black Walnut) is a well-known example of allelopathy.
What is the purpose of leaf adaptations such as spines?
To protect against browsing animals
Examples include Berberis darwinii and Ilex aquifolium
What are some examples of plants with spiny adaptations?
- Cirsium spp. (thistles)
- Berberis darwinii
- Ilex aquifolium
What is a tendril?
A modified leaf or stem used for climbing
Examples include Lathyrus odoratus and Vicia cracca
What is the function of tendrils in climbing plants?
To coil and wrap around neighboring vegetation for support
What is a unique reproductive adaptation of Kalanchoe daigremontiana?
Produces tiny plantlets along the edges of its leaves
What are sporangia?
Structures that bear spores on the underside of fern fronds
What is the main reason carnivorous plants have adapted their leaves?
To obtain nitrogen in nutrient-poor environments
What are two types of traps found in carnivorous plants?
- Passive traps
- Active traps
Give an example of a plant with passive traps.
Nepenthes (monkey cup pitcher plants)
These traps act like pitfalls.
What is an example of an active trap in carnivorous plants?
Dionaea muscipula (Venus’s Flytrap)
How do leaves contribute to biodiversity?
They serve as food sources for various creatures and support other organisms
What role does leaf litter play in an ecosystem?
Provides habitat for invertebrates and food for birds and small mammals
What are the three temperature-related functions of leaf hairs?
- Insulate from heat
- Reflect away sunlight
- Insulate against cold
True or False: Plants with hairy leaves are beneficial in sensory gardens.
True
What is reversion in variegated plants?
The tendency to produce shoots with standard green foliage
What are the advantages of strong-smelling and strong-tasting oils in plants?
- Repel pests
- Deter herbivores
- Reduce water evaporation
What is aerenchyma and its advantage?
Tissue that allows gas exchange, facilitating oxygen transport to roots
How can spiny plants be used in the garden?
As barriers against humans and other animals
What is one use of climbing adaptations in the garden?
To grow plants up structures for aesthetic effects or screening
