Question

Plant responses to an environmental change by: increase in ions and organic compounds in xylem and phoem, form thick, waxy scales over leaf buds, and leaves drop off.

What kind of ecosystems would be most beneficial to the plants with the above changes?

1. ecosystems with great variation in rainfall throughout the year.

2. temperate ecosystem with cold winters

3. ecosystems near the equator with consistent conditions year round

4. desert ecosystem receiving occasional rain

Answer 1

Ans. 4 ) Desert ecosystem receiving occasional rain.

Plants which show adaptations such as increase in ions and organic compounds in xylem and phloem, form thick, waxy scales over leaf buds and dropping of leaves are found in dry and arid conditions( desert plants or xerophytes)

They accumulate organic compound such as proline to maintain osmotic potential in their cells.

They are known to possess heat shock proteins called chaperonins as an adaptation to high temperature. They adopt C4 and CAM cycle pathways for photosynthesis which involve various organic compounds and ions.

Thick waxy scales over leaf buds is an adaptation to reduce transpiration rate and conserve water. Dropping of leaves is also a strategy to conserve water by reducing the surface area available for transpiration.