Question

Give biological reason for the following statement. In some xerophytes, leaves are modified into spines

Answer 1

• In xerophyte plants, some leaves are modified into spines.
• Leaf area is an internal factor that affects the rate of transpiration.
• The greater the total leaf area of a plant, the greater the rate of transpiration.
• This modification into spines helps xerophytes prevent water loss by transpiration by minimising the surface area.
• In addition, it defends plants against grazing of herbivores.