IB Biology HL 3.4.8 Desert Plant Adaptations Question Bank

a. extensive roots (to collect water from a wide area/to collect water after rainfall);

b. deep roots to collect water from underground sources;

c. (thick) waxy cuticle to reduce transpiration/water loss/evaporation;

d. water storage tissue/thick stems/thick leaves/succulent (to survive droughts);

e. no leaves/narrow leaves/rolled leaves/spines instead of leaves to reduce the surface area for transpiration/evaporation;

f. fewer stomata/sunken/pitted stomata to reduce transpiration/water loss;

g. vertical stems to reduce exposure to sun at midday/heating when the sun is overhead/hottest OR

pleated stems to allow shrinkage and reswelling/to store water;

h. stomata open at night/CAM metabolism;

Mark first three adaptations
only.

3

Marking guidance:

max