IB Biology SL 3.4.8 Desert Adaptations Question Bank
Practise IB Biology SL 3.4.8 by explaining how desert plants and animals conserve water and manage heat.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Biology SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- Explain desert-plant roots, water storage and reduced leaves as water-conservation adaptations.
- Relate animal colour, ears or other features to heat balance and desert survival.
B4.1.8—Adaptations to hot deserts and tropical rainforest question 1
[Maximum number: 7]
Convergent evolution increases similarities, despite differences in origins.
Describe adaptations that are typical of plants growing in hot deserts throughout the world.
a. wide-spreading roots
Marking guidance:
allow water collected from large area;
b. water storage tissue/thick leaves/stem survival during (long) droughts/periods without rainfall;
c. deep roots to collect water from greater depths/underground sources;
d. 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;
e. few stomata transpiration reduced/minimizes;
f. waxy cuticle conserves water;
g. stomata open at night reduces transpiration;
h. no leaves/narrow leaves/leaves as spines/scales decreases surface area/reduces stomata/transpiration/water loss;
i. rolled leaves/hairs around stomata harness humidity/decrease water loss;
j. pitted/sucken stomata reduces transpiration/water loss;
7
max
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