Question

Mangrove trees grow in areas, where water floods the land they grow on, from time to time. To adapt, they have special roots (that look like spikes sticking out from the ground) to help them breathe. Choose the option that explains why.

• A. Roots breathe using stomata. When the land floods, the spikes which are above the water can breathe easily.
• B. Roots breathe by diffusion. When the land floods, the spikes absorb water to enable breathing.
• C. Roots breathe though diffusion. When the land floods, the spikes which are above the water can breathe easily.
• D. Roots breathe using stomata. When the land floods, the spikes absorb water to enable breathing.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Roots breathe though diffusion. When the land floods, the spikes which are above the water can breathe easily.

Mangroves are usually found in low-lying areas. The land that they grow on is under water most of the time. So the roots do not get enough air or oxygen to breathe. To overcome this problem, the mangroves develop additional special roots that come out of water (that look like spikes sticking out from the ground). These roots are called aerial roots or breathing roots.