ADAPTIVE

FEATURE
Adaptive feature
• Adaptive feature is the inherited functional
features of an organism that increase its fitness.
 Fitness
Fitness is the probability of an organism
surviving and reproducing in the
environment in which it is found.
Adaptive features of Xerophytes
1. Adaptations to absorb sufficient water
• deep roots to absorb water from
the water table
• Roots are long and spread out
below the surface to absorb water
when it rains
• root cells have low water potential
to absorb water by osmosis from
(very) salty soils
• roots branch many times ;
• have many roots hairs to give a
large surface area
2. Adaptations to reduce water loss to the
atmosphere.
• few stomata / low stomatal density
• sunken stomata
• stomata close during the day and
open at night
• rolled leaves
• thick epidermis / thick cuticle
• few / no / small, leaves
• hairs on leaves
• low rates of transpiration
3. Xerophytes protect themselves against herbivores.

• make / store, toxins

• make / store, foul-tasting
substances
• spines / prickles / needles
• resins (that trap insects)
• thick (inedible) leaves
Adaptive features of Hydrophytes
• submerged leaves are divided
providing large area for,
photosynthesis / absorption

• leaves have large surface area to

float

• (floating leaves so) little xylem /

little lignin
• water provides support
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• little / no roots / root hairs ;
• roots for anchorage only / no
need for roots to absorb water
or mineral ions ;
• little / no, cuticle because no
need to conserve water
• stomata only on upper surface
• only upper surface exposed to
air / to allow diffusion of gases ;
Stomata on the upper surface of the leaf