Plant Basics & Types

Question 1

State 5 morphological features of xerophytes that help to reduce water loss by transpiration

Answer 1

Humid inner atmosphere, no stomata on thick lower epidermis cuticle, unicellular hairs, thick lower cuticle, sunken stomata

Question 2

Humid inner atmosphere

Answer 2

This is created by rolled leaves which reduce the water potential gradient between the air near the leaf and the leaf so less water is lost. The rolled leaves also reduce surface area of transpiration

Question 3

No stomata on thick lower epidermis cuticle

Answer 3

This reduces water loss from there entirely so that water can only be lost from the upper and more adapted cuticle.

Question 4

Unicellular hairs trap humid air

Answer 4

These hairs are stiff and interlocking. The humid air reduces the water potential gradient so less water is lost.

Question 5

Sunken stomata

Answer 5

The stomata are in pits so that the water vapour is trapped inside reducing the water potential gradient

Question 6

Upper epidermis in xerophytes?

Answer 6

The upper cuticle is thin and has stomata

Question 7

What is the lower leaf surface sometimes called?

Answer 7

Abaxial

Question 8

What is the upper leaf surface sometimes called?

Answer 8

Adaxial

Question 9

Mesophyte stomata on upper surface

Answer 9

Very few

Question 10

Mesophyte stomata lower surface

Answer 10

They are mainly on the lower surface to reduce water loss

Question 11

Mesophyte upper surface cuticle

Answer 11

Waxy cuticle to avoid water loss

Question 12

Mesophyte lower surface cuticle

Answer 12

Very little cuticle

Question 13

Air spaces mesophyte

Answer 13

Stems and leaves have large spaces which act as reservoirs for carbon dioxide and oxygen. They also assist with buoyancy

Question 14

Mesophyte

Answer 14

Plant with adequate water supply e.g. crop plants and plants that live in temperate regions

Question 15

Xerophyte stomata upper surface

Answer 15

The are in pits so that that humid air is trapped outside the stomata, reducing water potential gradient between the leaf and reducing the rate of transpiration.

Question 16

Xerophyte lower surface stomata

Answer 16

Stomata absent

Question 17

Xerophyte upper surface cuticle

Answer 17

Upper epidermis has thin cuticle

Question 18

Xerophyte lower surface cuticle

Answer 18

very thick cuticle of lower epidermis which reduces water loss. The thicker the cuticle, the lower the rate of transpiration

Question 19

Xerophyte air spaces

Answer 19

None within plant….?

Question 20

Xerophyte

Answer 20

Live in conditions of low water availability

Question 21

Hydrophyte

Answer 21

Grow submerged or partially submerged in water

Question 22

Hydrophyte upper surface stomata

Answer 22

There are stomata on the upper surface only. they close at night to prevent excessive water loss

Question 23

Hydrophyte lower surface stomata

Answer 23

None

Question 24

Hydrophyte upper surface cuticle

Answer 24

Little or no cuticle, no need to prevent water loss

Question 25

Hydrophyte lower surface cuticle

Answer 25

No cuticle, no need to prevent water loss

Question 26

Hydrophyte air spaces

Answer 26

Large air spaces for buoyancy