Plant Adaptations in Various Ecosystems

What is a common feature of desert plants?

• Storing water in stems or leaves

• Having large, broad leaves

• Growing very tall

• Producing colorful flowers

How do leafless plants reduce water loss?

• By reducing water loss during photosynthesis

• By growing faster

• By having thicker stems

• By producing more seeds

What is the role of spines on desert plants?

• To discourage animals from eating the plants

• To help the plant grow faster

• To attract pollinators

• To store water

Why do some desert plants have a waxy coating?

• To help reduce water loss

• To attract insects

• To make the plant shiny

• To help the plant grow taller

What is a characteristic of the temperate grasslands?

• Hot summers and cold winters

• Constant rainfall throughout the year

• Dense forests

• High humidity

What adaptation helps some cacti to shade the plant?

• Light-colored hair

• Thick bark

• Bright flowers

• Long roots

Why do some desert plants have leaves that turn throughout the day?

• To expose a minimum surface area to the heat

• To attract more sunlight

• To grow faster

• To produce more seeds

What allows prairie grasses to survive fires?

• Roots survive and resprout

• Thick leaves protect them

• They grow in wet areas

• They have fireproof bark

Why do prairie grasses have narrow leaves?

• To lose less water

• To attract pollinators

• To grow faster

• To resist wind

What is a feature of some prairie trees to resist fire?

• Thick bark

• Deep roots

• Broad leaves

• Tall trunks