Question

The diagram represents a process in plants. The setup was placed in bright sunlight. Answer the following question.
Mention any three adaptations found in plants to overcome the physiological process.

Answer 1

The setup demonstrates the process of transpiration in plants. Transpiration is the loss of water in the form of vapours from the leaves through minute pores called stomata.

When the setup is placed in bright sunlight, excessive transpiration will occur. To overcome this process, plants have developed various physiological adaptions like:

1. Thick waxy cuticle- In evergreen plants, a thick waxy cuticle is present on the surface of the leaves which reflect the sunlight and prevent transpiration.

2. Some plants of Cactaceae family like Opuntia, have leaves modified into spines. This reduces the surface area of the leaves and thus reduce the transpiration.

3. Some plants have multi-layered epidermis and sunken stomata which also prevent excessive loss of water from the leaves. E.g. Nerium.