Plant adaptations to the environment
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Question
What is an adaptation?
Answer
A **feature** (structural, physiological or behavioural) that helps an organism **survive and reproduce** in its environment.
Question
What is a xerophyte?
Answer
A plant adapted to live where **water is scarce**, such as a hot desert (e.g. a cactus).
Question
What is a halophyte?
Answer
A plant adapted to live in **salty conditions**, such as a mangrove tree in a coastal swamp.
Question
Name three adaptations of a desert (xerophyte) leaf.
Answer
**Thick waxy cuticle**, **reduced leaf area** (spines/needles), and **sunken stomata** — all reduce water loss.
Question
How do sunken stomata reduce water loss?
Answer
They trap a layer of **humid air** in pits, lowering the water-vapour gradient so **less water escapes**.
Question
Why do some desert plants open their stomata only at night?
Answer
Gas exchange then happens when it is **cooler**, so **less water is lost** than during the hot day (CAM).
Question
How does succulent tissue help a desert plant?
Answer
It **stores water** taken up during rare rains, for use through long dry periods.
Question
What are pneumatophores and what do they do?
Answer
**Aerial 'breathing' roots** of mangroves that grow into the air to **take in oxygen**, because the swamp mud is oxygen-poor.
Question
How do salt glands benefit a mangrove?
Answer
They **excrete excess salt**, keeping internal salt low so water can still be **absorbed by osmosis**.
Question
Why is waterlogged mangrove mud a problem for roots?
Answer
It contains **very little oxygen**, so the roots struggle to **respire** — solved by aerial roots.
Question
State two ways a flower attracts animal pollinators.
Answer
Any two of: **bright colourful petals**, **scent**, sugary **nectar**, a **shape** that fits the pollinator.
Question
How do you turn a habitat's problem into an adaptation?
Answer
Name the **problem** (e.g. losing water, no oxygen, too much salt), then the adaptation is whatever **solves it**.
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Topic 2.9 hub
Adaptation to environment
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