115k views
3 votes
Unique to some swamp plants, these spongy roots increase gas exchange between the atmosphere and the water-submerged roots they are connected to.

True or False

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The statement regarding swamp plants having specialized roots to increase gas exchange in water-logged environments is true. These roots, such as pneumatophores in mangroves and cypress trees, and aerenchyma in wild rice, are evolutionary adaptations to their habitat.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement is true: unique to some swamp plants, such as mangroves and cypress trees, spongy roots increase gas exchange between the atmosphere and the submerged roots they are connected to. These specialized roots are known as pneumatophores. They contain pores and pockets designed for gas exchange, enabling the plants to acquire oxygen in water-logged, oxygen-poor soil conditions. Additionally, plants like wild rice possess aerenchyma, which are large air spaces in the root cortex that facilitate the diffusion of oxygen down to the submerged root tips.

User An
by
8.5k points