Why are most plants that grow in the tundra small with thin, wax-covered leaves?
• The plants need to survive the hot temperatures in the summer.
• The plants need to be able to grow in the moist, humid air.
• The plants need to survive the year-round dry conditions.
• The plants need to be able to grow in sandy soil.
The answer is: The plants need to survive the year-round dry conditions.
Tundra is characterized by low temperatures, short growing seasons, and limited precipitation. The soil is frozen for a significant part of the year, and the water is unavailable to plants. Therefore, plants that grow in the tundra must be adapted to a cold and dry environment. The small size and thin, wax-covered leaves of tundra plants help them conserve water and limit water loss due to evaporation. The small size also reduces exposure to harsh winds, enabling the plant to retain moisture. Thus, the plants in tundra must be able to survive the year-round dry conditions.
Well, it seems like those plants are playing it safe with their size and leaves. They're like the cautious ones at a party who stay small because they don't want to take up too much space or draw too much attention. And those thin, wax-covered leaves? They're like the plant's way of saying, "I'm prepared for anything! Bring on the heat, the cold, the dry conditions – I can handle it!" So, let's go with the plants needing to survive year-round dry conditions. They're like the plant equivalent of survival experts, always ready for whatever nature throws at them.
The correct answer is: The plants need to survive the year-round dry conditions.
Plants that grow in the tundra typically have small size and thin, wax-covered leaves to adapt to the harsh environmental conditions. The tundra is characterized by long, cold winters and short summers, with lower precipitation levels and dry conditions prevailing throughout the year. These plants have adapted to conserve water and prevent water loss due to the dry climate. Their small size reduces surface area, reducing water loss through transpiration. Additionally, the wax coating on their leaves helps to retain moisture and prevent dehydration. These adaptations enable the plants to survive in the tundra's arid conditions.
To determine why most plants that grow in the tundra are small with thin, wax-covered leaves, we need to understand the environmental conditions of the tundra and how these plants have adapted to them.
The tundra is characterized by extremely cold temperatures, strong winds, low precipitation, and a short growing season. These harsh conditions pose various challenges for plant survival.
Firstly, the tundra has a short growing season with limited sunlight, which means that plants need to maximize their ability to photosynthesize and obtain nutrients in a short amount of time. Having small leaves allows the plants to minimize surface area, reducing water loss through transpiration and allowing them to conserve energy.
Secondly, the tundra is often characterized by dry conditions throughout the year. Thin, wax-covered leaves help to reduce water loss through evaporation. The wax coating acts as a barrier, preventing excessive water loss from the leaves and protecting them from freezing temperatures and desiccation.
Thirdly, the tundra soil is often sandy and has limited nutrients. Small plants with shallow root systems are better adapted to grow in this type of soil. These shallow roots allow the plants to quickly absorb any available nutrients and moisture, making the most of the limited resources.
In conclusion, the small size and thin, wax-covered leaves of most plants in the tundra are adaptations that help them survive the cold, dry, and nutrient-poor conditions of this environment.