Describe how xerophytic plants are structurally adapted to their habitat.

-

Adaptation of xerophytes
  • These are plants which are adapted to withstand harsh environmental conditions like – low supply of water, high day temperatures, windy conditions and low humidity; all these conditions lead into excessive water loss by transpiration; they are therefore adapted by;
Structural adaptations;
  • Their leaves are modified into spines/thorn like structures to reduce surface area exposed for transpiration; 
  • their stomata are sunken; and water vapour accumulate on the sunken depression; lowering water vapour concentration gradient; between the atmosphere and the sub-stomatal air spaces; this reduces the rate of transpiration;
  • Leaves have thick waxy cuticles; to reduce cuticular transpiration;
  • The number of stomata is reduced to minimal so that the roots reach and absorb water found in deeper layers in the soil;
  • They have parenchyma cells (in the stem and leaves); for storage of water when it is in adequate supply for use during drought, (the cactus whose leaves and stem appear succulent);
  • Some have hairy leaves; that trap water vapour in between them to lower the diffusion gradient hence reducing water loss;
  • Most xerophytes have sufficient roots; which grow extensively close to the soils surface; enabling them to absorb maximum amount of water after a short shower;
20 MARKS

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

(a) Define digestion. [2 m] (b) Describe the digestion of a piece of ugali in a human digestive system from the mouth until its assimilation. [18mks]

-
(a) Define digestion It is break down of complex insoluble; v food substance into simple soluble food substances; v 2max (b) Describe the digestion of ugali; Digestion of ugali begins in the mouth;v ugali is chewed by the teeth to increase large surface areav for action of salivary amylase / ptyalin; vThe food mixes with saliva produced by salivary glands;v Saliva contains mucus and enzyme ptyalin. Mucus moistens, softens and lubricates the food;v ptyalin speeds up the conversion of starch to maltose;v ugali is made into bolus in the mouth;v The bolus moves along the oesophagus and prestalsis / by contraction and relaxation of circular and longitudinal muscles into the stomach;v The digestion continues until ugali become acidic since the stomach does not contain carbohydrase / carbohydrate digesting enzymes no digestion of ugali takes place here.v Ugali now...
Read more

Explain how structures of the human ear are adapted to their functions. (20 marks)

-
Image
The pinna;- is funnel shaped to trap sound waves; cartilaginous to maintain the funnel shape; collects and directs sound waves into the external auditory meatus ear; The external auditory canal; - a tube connected to the pinna that directs sound waves from the pinna to the eardrum lining the auditory canal; has hair that trap foreign particles; The canal contains wax-secreting cells; and hair which traps dust particles; and pathogenic bacteria hence prevent them from getting into the ear; The eardrum; - has a thin tough membrane; that easily vibrates when hit by sound waves; transferring them into vibrations. The ear ossiscles; - they act like a layer and they easily move forward and backward to amplify sound vibrations that hit them; The suspensory ligaments; - suspends the ear ossicles and prevents excessive vibration that would otherwise damage the inner parts of the ear; The eustachian tube - it connects the middle ear with the pharynx; and it equalises air pressure between...
Read more

EXPLAIN HOW ABIOTIC FACTORS AFFECT PLANTS. (20MKS)

-
 Explain how abiotic factors affect plants. (20mks) Abiotic factors. Wind; -On a windy day rate of transpiration increases since wind carries away water vapour leaving surrounding of leaves with low humidity; the lower the humidity the more the space in the atmosphere for water molecules to occupy. - Wind disperse fruits, seeds and spore; - Wind is an agent of pollination. - Strong winds break branches of trees and may even uproot some trees; Temperature; -Enzymes work best at optimum temperature; changes in temperature hence influence rate of photosynthesis/respiration; and other enzyme controlled biological reactions. -In aquatic environment temperature affects the percent of dissolved gases. Light; - green plants need light for photosynthesis; - some plants need light for flowering; photoperiodism; - some seeds (lettuce) require light for germination; - light affects opening and closing of stomata; which affects transpiration; gaseous exchange and photosynthesi...
Read more