Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 7: Adaptations of Plants in Different Habitats
CHAPTER 7
Adaptations of
Plants in Different
Habitats
''Maka, hendaklah manusia itu memperhatikan
makanannya. Sesungguhnya Kami benar-benar
telah mencurahkan ari (dari langit), kemudian Kami
belah bumi dengan sebaik-baiknya, lalu Kami
tumbuhkan biji-bijian di bumi itu, anggur dan sayur-
sayuran, zaitun dan pohon kurma, kebun-kebun
lebat, dan buah-buahan serta rumput-rumputan,
untuk kesenanganmu dan untuk binatang-binatang”
Surah Abasa: Ayat 24-32:
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 7: Adaptations of Plants in Different Habitats
7.1 ADAPTATIONS OF PLANTS
Classifications of Plants based on Habitats
Classification of Plants Explanation
1. Halophytes
Plants that live in swampy habitats
Halo : Salt Such as the river mouth
phytes : Plant that grows in
o Meeting point of fresh water and
a specified habitat seawater
2. Hydrophytes Area is rich in salt content.
Example: Mangrove tree
Hydro : Water Plants that live in aquatic habitats
phytes : Plant that grows in Either on the water surface or submerged in the
water.
a specified habitat Examples: Lotus and Elodea sp.
. Plants that live in a habitat that is not too dry nor
too wet(moderate)
3. Mesophytes Have adequate supply of water.
Example: Mango tree and hibiscus plant
Meso : Moderate
phytes : Plant that grows in Plants that live in a habitat that is hot and dry
Minimum presence of water
a specified habitat Place with very high temperatures
Such as the desert.
4. Xerophytes Example: Cactus and date palm
Xero : Dry
phytes : Plant that grows in
a specified habitat
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 7: Adaptations of Plants in Different Habitats
Adaptive Features of Hydrophytes, Halophytes and Xerophytes
Adaptive Features of Halophytes
Adaptation of Leaf Function
1. Has thick cuticle Reduce the rate of transpiration
2. Has sunken stoma Reduce the rate of transpiration
3. Has hydathode pore Eliminate excess salt
Old leaves fall off when the concentration of salt
4. Old leaves can store salt stored is too high
Adaptation of Root Function
1. Root system branches widely
Provides support for the plants to continue living
2. Has pneumatophores. in the soft and muddy soils
Prevents plants from being uprooted due to strong
3. Cell sap of roots has a higher wind
salt content than sea water
Breathing roots that grow vertically upwards
above the surface of the soil
Many lenticels’ pores on this root
o To exchange of gases with the atmosphere
Prevent cell sap of the roots lose water by
osmosis
Mangrove trees receive water and mineral salts
from the seawater entering their roots.
Pneumatophore Level of water
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 7: Adaptations of Plants in Different Habitats
Adaptive Features of Hydrophytes
Aspect Floating plant Submerged plant
1. Grow area
Grow by floating on the water Grow completely inside the
2. Leaf adaptation surface water
Broad, thin, and flat Thin and small
Increase absorption maximum Increase the total surface area
of sunlight for photosynthesis per volume
Increase the diffusion rate of
3. Stoma distribution Upper epidermis of the leaves. water, mineral salts and
4. Present of cuticle Present dissolved gases
Ensure the stomata are always
5. Stem adaptation open Do not have stomata
Has aerenchyma tissue Absent
Light tissues with plenty of air Increase the diffusion rate
spaces between the cells
Small and hollow
6. Root adaptation Have fibrous root Help plants float upright in the
o Provide large surface area water
o Trap air bubble Help to reduce water flow
resistance.
Enable plant to float Have fibrous root
Exerted buoyant force by To anchoring the ground
surrounding water Prevents plants from being
uprooted due to strong water
current
Aerenchyma
tissue
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 7: Adaptations of Plants in Different Habitats
Adaptive Features of Xerophytes
Stem adaptation and leaf
1. Stem of the cactus has chloroplast
Carries out photosynthesis
2. Has small leaves
Reduce water loss
3. Has thick waxy cuticles on stem and leaves
Reduce water loss
4. Stomata are embedded in stem
Reduce water evaporation from the leaves
5. Leaves modified into thorns
Reduces the total surface area
o Reduce water loss
Get water supply
o Collecting dew and absorb by root when drop on
ground
Prevent the plant from being eaten by animals
Root adaptation
Grow widely and can penetrate deep into the soil
o Absorb more water and mineral salts
o Absorbed water is stored in the roots,
stems and leaves
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