Midterm II Terrestrial Plant Vocabulary

Question 1

Poikilohydric

Answer 1

• Relies directly on environment for water.
• Water content is in equilibrium with environment.
• Possesses no mechanisms to prevent desiccation; they desiccate, remain dormant, rehydrate when water is available.
• Absorb water directly through body surface.

Question 2

Cryptogam

Answer 2

A plant that reproduces by spores, instead of by seeds/ flowers.

Question 3

Endemic

Answer 3

A plant or animal native or restricted to a certain country or area.

Question 4

Indigenous

Answer 4

Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.

Question 5

Freeze tolerance

Answer 5

• Promotes premature, controlled ice formation.
• Carries high risk of freeze and thaw damage.
• Incurs long terms debt from accumulated waste and stress.
• However, requires low initial investment or ongoing maintenance and allows individuals to survive at 5-40°C lower than with freeze avoidance.

Question 6

Freeze avoidance

Answer 6

• Maintains internal fluids in a supercooled state.
• Aims to remove all possible ice nucleating agents.
• Is common to stable, more extreme climates, has high initial and ongoing stress and energy costs, and a high risk of death should flash freezing occur.
• By depressing the freezing point of internal fluids, this strategy attempts to avoid ice formation entirely.