Living in Extreme Conditions Flashcards

All 7 cards in this deck

What is a xerophyte?

A plant adapted to survive in very dry (arid) conditions where water is scarce.

How do the small spine-shaped leaves of a cactus help it survive in a desert?

They give a very small surface area, so much less water is lost by transpiration (and they deter herbivores).

How does a thick waxy cuticle help a plant survive in a dry environment?

It is waterproof, so it reduces water loss by evaporation from the leaf surface.

How do rolled leaves and surface hairs reduce water loss in marram grass?

They trap moist air next to the stomata, so less water vapour diffuses out of the leaf.

Why do many xerophytes have stomata sunken in pits?

Moist air is trapped in the pit, reducing the concentration gradient so less water vapour is lost.

Where are the stomata found on the leaves of a floating water plant such as a water lily?

On the upper surface only — this is the surface in contact with the air, so gas exchange can take place there.

How are plants living in cold, windy environments such as the tundra adapted to survive?

They grow low to the ground with small leaves, reducing exposure to wind and water loss.