Adaptations of xerophytes

describe and explain how xerophytes are adpapted to reduce water loss by transpiration

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  • Created by: Louisa
  • Created on: 16-05-13 13:59
Give 5 ways in which xerophytes are adapated to reduce water loss
1. Thick waxy cuticle 2. Small needle-shaped leaves 3. Dense spongy mesophyll 4. Rolled leaves 5. Low Ψ inside leaf 6. Stomata in sunken pits 7. Hairs on leaf surface 8. Closing stomata
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Describe how a thick waxy cuticle reduces water loss
The thick waxy cuticle reduces evaporation as it acts as a barrier. The shiny surface also reflects heat and so lowers temperatures reducing water loss
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Describe how having rolled leaves reduces water loss
Less epidermis is exposed to the external atmosphere so surface area from which transpiration can occur is reduced. The rolled leaves also trap air which becomes saturated and so reduces the water vapour potential gradient across the leaf
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Describe how pits containing stomata reduces water loss
Sunken pits trap air which becomes saturated with water vapour this means that around the stomata there is a reduced water vapour potential gradient and so less water loss occurs due to transpiration
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Describe how having dense spongy mesophyll reduces water loss
Reduces the surface area so that is exposed to the air inside the leaf. so less water will evaporate into the leaf air spaces and so this reduces the rate of water loss
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What are xerophytes?
Plants which have been adapted to survive in dry environmental conditions by reducing water loss
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What would happen to the plants if they did not have these adaptations?
Non-woody plants would wilt and die. Woody plants would loose their leaves first then die.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Describe how a thick waxy cuticle reduces water loss

Back

The thick waxy cuticle reduces evaporation as it acts as a barrier. The shiny surface also reflects heat and so lowers temperatures reducing water loss

Card 3

Front

Describe how having rolled leaves reduces water loss

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Describe how pits containing stomata reduces water loss

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Describe how having dense spongy mesophyll reduces water loss

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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