Question

Plants that grow in sunny, hot habitats have leaves that:

Select one:
a. are highly dissected and grow at a 45 degree angle to the stem
b. lie flat on the ground and are round and very thick
c. are very shiny to reflect the sun's rays
d. are transparent to let excess light pass through them
e. all of the above

Answer 1

Plants in sunny, hot habitats have leaves suited to reflect sunlight, store water, and minimize water loss, with adaptations like shiny surfaces, reduced surface area, and thick waxy cuticles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Plants that grow in sunny, hot habitats have leaves that are highly evolved to adapt to their local environment and reduce transpiration. Leaves may exhibit such adaptations as a shiny surface to reflect the sun's rays, a reduced surface area in the form of spines, or a very thick waxy cuticle to minimize water loss.

However, the specific adaptations also depend on other factors, such as the availability of water. For instance, cacti in the desert have leaves modified into spines, which reduce the surface-to-volume ratio and consequently water loss. In addition, these plants perform photosynthesis in their stems, which also store water. On the other hand, aquatic plants like water lilies have wide, flat leaves that can float, thus adapting to a submerged lifestyle.

In general, the thickness, shape, and size of leaves are adapted to the environment, with each variation helping a plant species maximize its chances of survival in a particular habitat. Therefore, in sunny and hot habitats, it is common to find leaves adapted to reflect sunlight, store water, and minimize water loss.