Question

The desert plants in order to tolerate water stress show

• A. Sunken stomata
• B. Reduced leaves
• C. Well developed root system
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of the above

Deserts are environmentally arid zones. Hence, the functional water deficit is the primary limitation that the desert plants need to adapt to. However, to withstand the long rain less periods the desert plants use three main adaptive strategies, succulence, drought tolerance and drought evasion.
These plants which includes all cacti, agave, aloe, elephant trees and many Euphorbias. They store water in fleshy leaves, stems or roots. Besides these adaptations, these desert plants also have sunken stomata with waxy cuticles that render them nearly waterproof when stomata are closed, reduced leaves or no leaves and extensive, shallow root systems to withstand the water stress of the arid region.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.