Adaptations of Plants to
the Availability of Water
Xerophytes
Adapted to survive in arid conditions
Waxy cuticle on leaf to reduce water lost by evaporation
Stomata on underside of leaf to reduce evaporation from direct sunlight
Stomata close at night to reduce water loss when the plant isn’t photosynthesising
Stomata close when water availability is low
Very widespread or deep roots
Low water potential inside leaves to reduce water loss – achieved by maintaining a high
salt concentration
Marram Grass:
o Rolling or curling or folding of leaves to trap air inside, preventing water loss due
to osmosis (maintains a high water potential outside leaf)
o Dense spongy mesophyll with few air spaces reducing area for evaporation
Cacti:
o Succulents – store water in their stem which becomes swollen – stems are ribbed
or fluted to allow for expansion when water is available
o Leaves reduced to spines to reduce area for evaporation and transpiration
o Stem can photosynthesise
Hydrophytes
Adapted to survive in wet conditions
Do not need to worry about water loss since water is abundant
Large air-spaces in leaves and stem keep the leaves buoyant to allow them to
photosynthesise
Stomata are on the upper side of leaves, so they are exposed to the air to allow gaseous
exchange
Specialised structures at the tip of leaves called hydathodes to release water droplets
which can evaporate since the climate is too humid for transpiration to occur
Los beneficios de comprar resúmenes en Stuvia estan en línea:
Garantiza la calidad de los comentarios
Compradores de Stuvia evaluaron más de 700.000 resúmenes. Así estas seguro que compras los mejores documentos!
Compra fácil y rápido
Puedes pagar rápidamente y en una vez con iDeal, tarjeta de crédito o con tu crédito de Stuvia. Sin tener que hacerte miembro.
Enfócate en lo más importante
Tus compañeros escriben los resúmenes. Por eso tienes la seguridad que tienes un resumen actual y confiable.
Así llegas a la conclusión rapidamente!
Preguntas frecuentes
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
100% de satisfacción garantizada: ¿Cómo funciona?
Nuestra garantía de satisfacción le asegura que siempre encontrará un documento de estudio a tu medida. Tu rellenas un formulario y nuestro equipo de atención al cliente se encarga del resto.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller izzylewington04. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for $4.12. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.