Question

A plant can improve its ability to obtain water by growing roots. Select the statement that explains why a plant might limit root growth under some weather conditions.

a-The plant might limit root growth when water is scarce so that it has more energy for reproduction.
b-The plant can restrict water loss due to transpiration by limiting root growth during dry periods.
c-The plant can allocate energy towards growing structures other than roots when water is abundant.
d-The plant might limit root growth because it does not have space for root extension.

Answer 1

In dry conditions, plants limit root growth to conserve energy for essential functions like reproduction, due to the need to balance water loss and carbon gain. They close stomata to reduce water loss and may allocate energy to structures other than roots when water is plentiful.

Step-by-step explanation:

Plants may limit root growth under some weather conditions for a variety of reasons, specifically relating to water availability.

When water is scarce, a plant might limit root growth in order to conserve energy for critical functions such as reproduction (a). This energy conservation is crucial because the plant must balance water loss with carbon gain to thrive. During dry periods, plants often close their stomata to reduce water loss due to transpiration (a, b, d), which can also initiate the shedding of leaves to further conserve water. Conversely, when water is abundant, a plant might allocate energy towards growing structures other than roots, as access to water is not limiting (c).

Adaptations in plant structures such as roots, stems, and leaves evolve to maximize the capture of sunlight, water, soil nutrients, and oxygen to ensure survival, especially in resource-deficient environments (EVOLUTION CONNECTION).