Question

Crabgrass is an example of a C4 plant. In addition to biochemical adaptations seen in C4 and CAM plants, what is another way that plants can protect themselves from dry hot conditions?

Answer 1

Plants use various mechanisms beyond CAM and C4 pathways to survive in dry and hot conditions, including developing a waxy cuticle, closing stomata during hotter periods, evolving drought tolerance, and reducing leaf size.

Step-by-step explanation:

In addition to Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) Photosynthesis and C4 biochemical adaptations, plants can protect themselves from dry and hot conditions through a variety of other mechanisms. Some strategies include developing resistant structures such as a waxy cuticle, closing their stomata during the day as seen in CAM plants, having deep or extensive root systems to access underground water, and reducing leaf size to minimize the surface area for water loss. Plants may also display drought tolerance like mosses that can survive desiccation and fully recover with the availability of water. In extreme cases, some plants can survive with very low levels of photosynthesis without needing to open their stomata at all.