Question

Which two examples show adaptations for plants growing in the desert?

1. Spines to protect plants against animals seeking water
2. Wide holes on leaves to release excess water vapor
3. pointed leaf tips to allow water to roll off easily
4. A waxy coating on leaves to reduce water loss

Answer 1

Ans.

The plants that grow in dessert show various adaptations to survive in such hot and dry climate. These adaptations include modification of leaves into spines or thorns, succulent stems, waxy coating on plants' appendages, and rolled to store water.

The spines protects plants from predators seeking water, while the waxy coating on leaves to reduce water loss due to evaporation.

Thus, options 1. and 4). are the correct answer.

Answer 2

Adaptations for growing in the desert relate to reduction of water loss.

From the examples provided, answer 1 and answer 2 show adaptations for plants growing in the desert: spines can prevent the plants being eaten and forfeiting the water contained in their cells, and a waxy coating can help reduce water loss across the plant surface.

Answer 2 relates to stomata (pores) that exist on leaves of plants. These holes facilitate gas exchange (carbon dioxide in, and water vapour out. Desert plants often have modified stomata or keep them shut during the day to prevent water loss, so this answer is obviously wrong.

Answer 3 relates to water rolling off leaf tips. Deserts have very little rainfall so this answer is irrelevant and not an adaptation for desert climate.