Xerophytes Flashcards
What is a xerophyte?
A plant that is adapted to living in areas where water is in short supply where without adaptations the plant would die.
What adaptations do xerophytes have to reduce water loss?
-A thick cuticle.
-Rolling up of leaves.
-Hairy leaves
-Stomata in pits/grooves.
-Reduced surface area to volume ratio.
Why do xerophytes have a thick cuticle?
Water loss can still occur with a thick cuticle so the thicker the cuticle the less water will be lost.
Why do xerophytes roll up their leaves?
As most stomata are found on the underside of the leaf, rolling protects them so air is still trapped inside of the leaf and there is no water potential gradient between the inside and outside of the leaf.
Why do xerophytes have hairy leaves?
The hairs trap still air next to the leaf surface so there is only a small water potential gradient between the two sides of the leaf and evaporation is minimised.
Why are stomata found in pits or grooves?
Traps still, moist air next to the leaf to reduce the water potential gradient.
Why do xerophytes have a reduced water potential gradient?
Has a slower rate of diffusion and has leaves that are small and circular to reduce the rate of water loss.
