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Xerophyte Adaptations Overview

This document discusses plant adaptations to dry environments (xerophytes). It begins by stating the aims of the session which are to measure leaf mass loss in xerophytes, learn about xerophyte adaptations, and have students generate questions about xerophytes. It then provides examples of adaptations in xerophytes like thick waxy cuticles, sunken stomata, leaf hairs, and rolled or small leaves that help prevent water loss. Specific plant examples like marram grass and cacti are discussed. The document concludes by focusing on marram grass's adaptations of rolled leaves, leaf hairs and sunken stomata that allow it to thrive in dry, sandy environments.

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3K views21 pages

Xerophyte Adaptations Overview

This document discusses plant adaptations to dry environments (xerophytes). It begins by stating the aims of the session which are to measure leaf mass loss in xerophytes, learn about xerophyte adaptations, and have students generate questions about xerophytes. It then provides examples of adaptations in xerophytes like thick waxy cuticles, sunken stomata, leaf hairs, and rolled or small leaves that help prevent water loss. Specific plant examples like marram grass and cacti are discussed. The document concludes by focusing on marram grass's adaptations of rolled leaves, leaf hairs and sunken stomata that allow it to thrive in dry, sandy environments.

Uploaded by

api-3805717
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Aims of the session:

• Take measurements of leaves + see if


xerophytes have a different pattern of mass loss

• Learn about the adaptations xerophytes have

• See what type of question they can ask about


xerophytes (and be able to answer it)
Plant adaptations to
habitats
Plants in different habitats possess different adaptations:

Mesophytes: plants adapted to a habitat with


adequate water

Xerophytes: plants adapted to a dry habitat

Halophytes: plants adapted to a salty habitat

Hydrophytes: plants adapted to a freshwater


Hydrophyte:
Leaf undersurface of the tree fern.
Extremely high number of stomata per
unit in a species living in tropic cloud
forests where is is very moist.
XEROPHYTES
Xerophytes possess some or all
of these adaptations to prevent
excessive water loss
•Stomata sunken in pits creates local
humidity/decreases exposure to air
currents;

•Presence of hairs creates local humidity


next to leaf/decreases exposure to air
currents by reducing flow around
stomata;

•Thick waxy cuticle makes more


Xerophytes possess some or all
of these adaptations to prevent
excessive water loss cont.

•Stomata on inside of rolled leaf creates


local humidity/decreases exposure to air
currents because water vapour
evaporates into air space rather than
atmosphere e.g. British Marram grass

•Fewer stomata decreases transpiration


as this is where water is lost;
Xerophyte adaptations summary:
Adaptation How it works Example

thick cuticle stops uncontrolled


evaporation through leaf
cells
small leaf surface less surface area for conifer needles,
area evaporation cactus spines

low stomata smaller surface area for


density diffusion

sunken stomata maintains humid air marram grass, cacti


around stomata

stomatal hairs maintains humid air marram grass, couch


(trichores) around stomata grass

rolled leaves maintains humid air marram grass,


around stomata

extensive roots maximise water uptake cacti


All Cacti are xerophytes
Left and right Epidermis of the cactus Rhipsalis
dissimilis.
Left: View of the epidermis surface. The crater-
shaped depressions with a guard cell each at
their base can be seen.
Right: X-section through the epidermis &
underlying tissues. The guard cells are
countersunk, the cuticle is thickened. These are
classic xerophyte adaptations.
ansverse Section Through Leaf of Xerophytic Plant
XEROPHYTE
SPECIES STUDY:

MARRAM GRASS
Marram grass possesses:
rolled leaves, leaf hairs and
sunken stomata. These
adaptations make it resistant
to dry conditions and of
course sand-dunes which
drain very quickly retain very
little water.
BYB3 June 2001 Question 8 part c
BYB3 June 2001 Question 8 part c
ANSWERS
BYB3 Jan 2002 Question 6 part c
BYB3 Jan 2002 Question 6 part c
ANSWERS

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