Xerophytes Xerophytes are plants adapted to dry environments and include agave (
ID: 252456 • Letter: X
Question
Xerophytes Xerophytes are plants adapted to dry environments and include agave (also called century plant), sand-dune grass, and cacti. Xerophytes have diverse adaptations that help them obtain, store, and conserve water. Examine the cross-sections of these three plants with your team, and compare them to a typical eudicot (Activity Al) by answering the questions below. You may need to ask a TA or LI for help interpreting these slides. Examine the agave leaf. Compare the waxy cuticle and the stomata of the agave with the typical eudicot leaf. How are agave leaves adapted to reduce water loss? Examine the cactus stem. > Cacti have many thin-walled parenchyma cells. What is the function of these cells? > How is the cactus stem adapted to minimize water loss? Examine the sand-dune grass leaf. > Where is the waxy cuticle thickest? Where are the stomata located? Explain, with refe rence to conserving water. (Tip: it might help to include a sketch in your explanation.) 120Explanation / Answer
1.Ans-
Agave leaf has sunken stomata that located in pits in the epidermis.
Eudicot leaf has a thick cuticle that covers entire epidermis to prevents water loss.
Agave leaf has a waxy cuticle that protects them from harsh sunlight and heat evaporation. The coatings of wax prevent them to lose water and hairs help to reduce transpiration and water loss.
2.Ans-
i)The function of the thin-walled parenchyma of cacti is to store water.
ii) How is the cactus stem adapted to minimize water loss?
A cactus stem is adapted to minimize water loss because of stomata is absent on epidermis that prevents water loss. The large thin-walled parenchyma cells and reduce the size of vascular bundles helps to store water.
3.Ans-
The waxy cuticle thickest is present on the unrolled part because it faces the sunlight.
The stomata are located on walls of the furrow.
They can survive in different environmental stresses because of
They have rapid vertical growth and extensive widespread root system, sunken stomata and reduced number of stomata that help to store water. Eg- Marram Grass.
Also, they have thick waxy cuticles that help to prevent water loss. Eg- Sea Bindweed
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