Plant Science - Leaf Adaptations Flashcards
Which of the following are leaf adaptations that reduce water loss?
In-rolled margins
Small leaves
What is the term for when variegated plants grow shoots with normal green leaves?
Reversion
What are Aerenchyma?
Specialised cells that form aim-filled cavities inside the leaves of many aquatic plants.
What does Aerenchyma do?
Increases buoyancy and allows gases to move through plants.
Aerenchyma are common in aquatic plants. When else might they develop?
In response to flooding.
Name the leaf adaptations which help protect plants against herbivores.
Spines
Volatile oils
Stinging hairs
True or False: The modified leaves that make up a bulb are adapted to store water.
False - they are adapted for storage of carbohydrates although they may store some water.
What sort of habitat might you guess a plant with silvery, hair leaves originated from?
Hot and dry
Cold and exposed
To protect from UV light, water loss and insulate against heat/cold. Likely to do poorly in wet conditions.
Why have some plants evolved to be carnivorous?
To gain Nitrogen.
What is the benefit of tendrils?
Train up walls
What is the benefit of hairs?
Trap particulate pollen
What is the benefit of spines?
Form a barrier
What is the benefit of colourful young leaves?
Visual interest
What is the benefit of volatile oils?
Scent in a sensory garden
Sempervivum tectorum (houseleek) has which adaption?
Succulent leaves with waxy cuticles to store water and have drought tolerance.
True or False: Plants adapted to growing in shade have higher levels of chlorophyll in their leaves than sun-adapted plants.
True - this is why they have dark green leaves.
Strong sunlight may cause some plants to develop what colour in their leaves?
Red and purple to protect from sunlight damage.
Totipotency allows the cells at the cut end of a leaf cutting to differentiate and form what tissues?
Root and vascular tissue.
Which of these plants would you choose for a garden prone to drought?
Plants with large, smooth leaves
Plants with small, hairy leaves
Small, hairy leaves.
True or False: Both living leaves on plants and dead, fallen leaves are of value to biodiversity.
True
