Question

Describe plant adaptions that reduce water loss and those which permit CO2 to enter the cell. Describe the importance of water and CO2 to the plant.

Answer 1

PLANT ADAPTATIONS THAT REDUCE WATER LOSS:

i)CUTICLE:

A waxy coating that is found above the leaves and other aerial parts of the plant is called cuticle.It helps in the reduction of water loss.

ii) LESS SURFACE AREA OF LEAVES:

If the surface area of the leaves are less then the rate of transpiration is less. Transpiration is the process of loss of water from plant body into the environment.

iii)XEROPHYTIC CONDITION:

Xerophytes are plants that live in deserts. In order to survive there the leaves gets reduced to spines and the stem flattens to perform the functions of leaves.

STOMATA:

Stomata present in the leaves is responsible for the exchange of gases between the plant and the surrounding environment during photosynthesis. During photosynthesis O2 is released into the environment and CO2 is absorbed inside the plant.

IMPORTANCE OF WATER TO PLANTS:

Without water the plants would die. Water helps in the transportation of dissolved sugar and nutrients throughout the plant.

IMPORTANCE OF CO2 TO PLANTS:

CO2  is responsible for respiration and potosynthesis. During food preparation plants convert CO2 and water into O2 and glucose.