Adaptation of Plants

Adaptations of Plants

7.1

Adaptations of Plants

Types of plants habitats:

Examples of plants based on different habitats:

Mesophyte

Hydrophyte

Submerged plants:
- Hydrilla sp.
- Elodea sp.
- Uticularia sp.
Floating plants:
- Nelumbium sp. (teratai)
- Eichhornia sp. (keladi bunting)
- Platia sp. (selada air)
- Lemma sp. (kambang)

Halophyte

Xerophyte

Characteristics of different habitats:

Types of plants based on habitat	Chracteristics of habitat
Mesophyte	Optimum temperature Sufficient water supply Optimum air humidity Appropriate soil texture
Hydrophyte	High temperature at water surface Sufficient water supply High air humidity Muddy soil
Halophyte	High temperature Insufficient of fresh water supply Concentration of mineral salts in water is higher and changes High air humidity Sandy soil
Xerophyte	High temperature Lack of water supply Very low air humidity Dry soil

Adaptive features of plants based on different habitats:

Adaptive features	Explanation
Leaf Cuticle is absent in leaves of submerged plants Stomata are absent in leaves of submerged plants Stomata are only present on upper epidermis of leaves in floating plants The upper leaf surface in floating leaves are coated with waxy cuticle	Submerged plants have no stomata Gaseous exchange for submerged plants is through diffusion of gases in water
Stem Presence of aerenchyma tissue to have air spaces Vascular tissues are poor developed	To float plants To absorb water and minerals by osmosis
Root Roots are poorly developed	Roots that anchor the soil is not necessary
Reproduction Reproduction is mainly by asexual methods The flowers and seeds are less abundant	Pollination seldom or unavailable under water

Adaptive features	Explaination
Leaf Thick cuticle is present in the epidermal layer Sunken stomata are present Leaves are succulent Salt glands are present on the leaf margin	To conserve water To store water To remove excess salt from plants
Stem Stems are hard woody and covered with thick bark Vascular tissues are well developed	For support To transport water and minerals
Root The roott systems are well developed with prop roots,cable roots,buttress roots or pneumatophores	To anchor muudy soil firmly For gases exchange
Reproduction Viviparous seeds	Enable seedlings to be survived

Adaptive features	Explanation
Leaf Thick cuticle is present in the epidermal layer Sunken stomata are present Leaves are succulent or rolled The stoma open during night-time and remain close during day-time Leaves are reduced in size or needle-like	To conserve water To store water
Stem Stems are succulent or woody and covered with thick bark Vascular tissues are well developed	To store water To transport water effectively
Root The root systems are well developed,elongated with root hairs	To absorbs and pending sources of water and mineral salts
Reproduction Sexual and asexual reproduction	To increase the survival of species