Question

Describe several adaptations that enable plants to reduce water loss from their leaves. Include both structural and physiological adaptations.

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Structural adaptations:

- leaves coated in a waxy cuticle  

- a fewer number of  stomata on the cell surface

2. Physiological adaptations:

- stomatal closure  

- osmotic adjustment  

Explanation:

In plants, leaves may be covered by a waxy layer to avoid the loss of water vapor (transpiration) through the epidermis. Stomata are small pores localized in the epidermis of leaves and upper organs that control gas exchange, including water vapor. Plants can retain water by having fewer stomata in their leaves, or well by closing stomata during the hot day time and in hydric stress conditions. Finally, osmotic adjustment is an adaptive mechanism caused by the active accumulation of solute in the vacuoles of plant cells (including leaf cells), which is also used by plants to avoid the harmful effects of hydric stress.