Question

How do the following modifications of leaves help the plant?

a. spines

b. tendrils

c. scales

Answer 1

a. Spines:

1. Spines are also called modified leaves.
2. In cacti, spines are wholly transformed leaves that protect the plant from herbivores, radiate heat from the stem during the day, and collect and drip condensed water vapours during the cooler night.

b. Tendrils:

1. A tendril is a slender whip like or threadlike strand, produced usually from the node of a stem, by which a vine or other plant may climb.

c. Scales:

1. Sometimes scale leaves are thick and fleshy, as in onion, their function is to store up water and food.
2. Scale-leaves are common in parasites, saprophytes, underground stems, etc.