Question

Which of the following is not adaptation of xerophytes?

• A. Spongy tissue
• B. Well developed mechanical tissue
• C. Well developed vascular tissue
• D. Thick cuticle

Answer 1

The correct option is A Spongy tissue

A xerophyte is a species of plant that has adapted to survive in an environment with little water, such as a desert or an ice or snow covered region in the Alps or the Arctic. The morphology and physiology of xerophytes are variously adapted to conserve water, and commonly also to store large quantities of water, during dry periods. Other species may be adapted to survive long periods of desiccation of their tissues, during which their metabolic activity may effectively shut down. So, thick cuticle, well developed mechanical tissue and vascular tissue are the adaptations for xerophytes. The spongy mesophyll's function is to allow for the interchange of gases (CO${}_2$) that are needed for photosynthesis.The spongy mesophyll cells are less likely to go through photosynthesis than those in the palisade mesophyll which are not required for xerophytes.

Thus, the correct answer is option A.