Plant Adaptations

Why might some plants have thorns?

• to stay safe from animals that want to eat the plant
• to attract insects that spread pollen to other plants
• to take in nutrients from the air
• to provide shade for the plant

What is one reason why some plants have scents?

• to shed extra water off the plant
• to take in nutrients from the soil
• to attract animals to spread its pollen
• to conserve water during dry periods

Why might some plants that grow on the shady rain forest floor have large leaves?

• to stay safe from predators
• to attract different animals
• to survive harsh winters with heavy snowfall
• to take in as much sunlight as possible

Some trees shed their leaves in time for winter. Why is this adaptation useful?

• The trees save energy during the darker, colder months.
• The trees take in more sunlight through their branches.
• The trees attract animals to spread their seeds.
• The trees blend into their environment and hide.

Some grasses grow in hot dry areas. Why might they grow deep roots?

• to protect the plant from sun damage
• to take in as much light as possible
• to spread seeds to new places
• to reach water down below

The rose of Jericho grows in dry areas. It curls up and laws DORMANT until there is enough water. What does DORMANT mean?

• flowering
• not active
• dead
• dried

Cactus have a thick waxy coating on their stem that keeps them from drying out- is this a behavioral adaptation or physical adaptation?

• Behavioral adaptation
• Physical adaptation 

Many plants that live in the tropical rainforest must be able to tolerate -

• High levels of nutrients in the soil
• Hot temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter
• Shade and indirect sunlight
• All of these choices

Desert plants have adaptations for survival, such as -

• Stems and roots store water

• Leaves with waxy coating or hairy covering

• Fewer and smaller stomata

• All of these choices

Why do tundra plants typically grow close to the ground?

• This allows their roots to grow very deep

• To prevent herbivores from eating them

• To avoid the wind and conserve heat

• All of these choices