Chapter 31, Problem 15STP

Summary Introduction

To write: The adaptations in the rain forest plant could cause it to have trouble surviving in the new environment.

Introduction: A plant with adaptations to survive in the tropical rain forests might not find it suitable to grow in deserted conditions as the survival there needs different adaptations.

Explanation of Solution

Adaptations that help in surviving in Tropical Rain Forests:

1. The woody vines with roots help to climb up the trees and reach the sunlight.
2. The trunks are usually tall and thin that helps them reaching to sunlight and the plane bark allows water to flow down to the roots.
3. The plant leaves are pointy that allow water to flow to the leaves without damaging it.
4. The large roots with ridges create a greater area that helps in supporting the large trees.
5. Some plants live on the bark of trees to get the nutrients from air and water.

If a plant with all these adaptations for survival in tropical rain forests is transplanted to a tropical desert, the adaptations in the rain forest plant could cause it to have trouble surviving in the new environment as:

1. The woody vines are not good in deserts. As plants in deserts try to stay away from the sunlight to prevent themselves from dehydration or transpiration. So, the maximum plants that grow in the desert are short with the deep roots to get the underground water.
2. The leaves in the desert are not pointy rather they are light-colored to reflect excessive lights and thorny to ward off predators.
3. The leaves in the desert are not pointy rather they are thick and fleshy to store water.
4. The large branches do not help the survival in the desert as they increase the rate of dehydration.
5. The plants in the desert need to grow deep down to get water and do not climb high.

Conclusion

Plants adapt by growing lower in the ground to save themself from a hazardous atmosphere.

The adaptation to desert environments helps the plant in the conservation of food, energy and water.