Question

Xerophytes are plants that are able to grow in arid environments. Explain how the following adaptations of xerophytes would recuce traspiration rates and enhance these plants' survival in arid regions: thick cuticle, sunken stomata (stomata are found in cavities), leaf surface covered with dense mat of trichomes.

Answer 1

thick cuticle: stops uncontrolled evaporation through leaf cells by making the leaf more waterproof, so become impermeable to water.

sunken stomata (stomata are found in cavities): stomata sunken in pits creates local humidity/ decreases exposure to air currents. Stomata on inside the rolled leaf creates local humidity/ decreases exposure to air currents because water vapour evaporates into airspace rather than atmosphere. marram grass and cacti.

leaf surface covered with a dense mat of trichomes: maintains humid air around stomata. Example: marram grass, couch grass.