Question

Question 1: What are 20 (or more) survival strategies or adaptations of plants (including defense, specialized

organs, leaf arrangements, etc.)? Explain how each of these strategies could improve

survivability. [We have covered many more than 20 survival strategies so far in the course.]

Question 2: A major concept in many biology courses is the relationship between structure (anatomy) and

function. Explain this relationship using ideas from lectures and labs on cells, tissues, roots,

stems, and leaves.

Answer 1

1. Presence of barks- protect the plants from pathogens

2. Presence of waxy cuticles - protect the plants from pathogens

3. Presence of thorns and spines - for defence

4. bright colours of many flowers-  to draw specific insects and birds that will visit the plant and distribute its pollen when they move on to the next plant and thus it act as a reproductive adaptation.

5. Producing light and white flower- so that they may easily blow away with the help of wind and thus promote reproduction. This is an adaptation of flowers that are pollinated by wind.

6. Most bird pollinated flowers are red and have a lot of nectar. They also tend to be unscented.

7. Absence of roots in hydrophytes-

8. Floating leaves in hydrophytes

9. Development of aerenchyma tissue in hydrophytes that help to promote buoyancy and floatation.

10. Extensive roots systems in xerophytes to search for scanty water underground.

11. Thick cuticle- to prevent loss of water

12.Loss of leaves in xerophytes

13. Reduced stomata in Xerophytes

14. CAM photosynthesis in Xerophytes.

15. Presence of salt glands and salt bladders to overcome high concentration of salts in halophytes.

16. development of succulence (dilution of ion concentration) in the plant tissue in Xerophytes and Halophytes.

17. Epiphytes never touch the ground; they are adapted to live on the air.

18. Epiphytes obtain water from rain and water vapour in the air; most absorb water with their roots, though many have specialized leaves that also take in moisture.

19. Mesophytes have broad, flat and green leaves; an extensive fibrous root system to absorb water;

20. Plants adapted to shade have the ability to use far-red light (about 730 nm) more effectively than plants adapted to full sunlight.

2. Plants have -cell wall, vacuoles, and plastids and all are important to a plant's ability to function. For example, the structure of the cell wall is such that it prevents entry of large molecules into the cell. Cellulose present in the cell wall makes it possible. Similarly, plastids are made up of chloroplast which contains chlorophyll molecules that are specialized in capturing sunlight and performing photosynthesis. Chloroplast structure is divided into two areas one is thylakoid where the light reaction takes place and other is stroma where the dark reaction takes place. All the chlorophyll are present in green leaves which are the primary site of photosynthesis.