Describe how terrestrial plants overcome the challenges of terrestrial environment. Or   Describe how xerophytes survive conditions to unfavorable water balance.     

Describe how terrestrial plants overcome the challenges of terrestrial environment. Or   Describe how xerophytes survive conditions to unfavorable water balance.     

Solution

• They have shinny leaf surfaces to reflect much of the incident light rays do avoid overheating.
• They have a thick, waxy cuticle impermeable to water. This reduces water loss by transpiration
• Plants have developed a vascular system so as to pump water from the roots to all parts of the plant.
• Flowering plants have developed pollen tubes to deliver the pollen to the ovule so as to allow for fertilization in the absence of water.
• Some have leaves reduced into spikes, which reduces the surface area over which water can be lost through transpiration.
• In some xerophytes, the stomata open at night and close during day to reduce water loss during day.
• Some have stomata sunken into hairy leaf surface to reduce water loss by transpiration.
• Some plants produce pores and others seeds which withstand the dry conditions and help the plant to survive the long dry periods.
• Most xerophytes reproduce by vegetative propagation, absence of favorable conditions for seed germination
• They have tissue tolerant to desiccation.
• Flowering plants have reduced the gametophyte which is prone to desiccation in lower plants.
• Plants have developed a specialized tissue to provide support to the plant.
• They develop a deep extensive root system to exploit as much area as possible for water absorption.
• Some shed their leaves occasionally to reduce water loss.
• Some have short life cycles that avoid droughts.

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