Question 1Multiple choice · 1 mark
Which adaptation reduces water loss in desert plants?
- A large thin leaves
- B many stomata on the upper surface
- C shallow roots only
- D leaves reduced to spines
Show answer
Answer: D
Free Adaptive features questions for IGCSE Biology (0610), part of Inheritance & variation. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Generate a full Adaptive Features worksheet →All Inheritance & variation questionsWhich adaptation reduces water loss in desert plants?
Answer: D
Which term is described by this statement?
“An inherited feature that helps an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.”
Answer: B
Hydrophytes such as water lilies live in water.
Describe two adaptations of a water lily.
Explain how a thick layer of fat helps animals live in cold environments.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | stomata on upper surface; air spaces; large flat leaves Any 2 of: stomata on the upper surface; large air spaces for buoyancy; large flat leaves to catch light B2 | 2 |
| (b) | insulation, energy store fat is an insulator, reducing heat loss B1 and provides an energy store B1 | 2 |
Marram grass grows on sand dunes.
Describe two adaptations of marram grass to reduce water loss.
Name the type of plant adapted to dry conditions.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | rolled leaves; sunken stomata; hairs; thick cuticle Any 2 of: leaves roll up; sunken stomata; hairs trap moist air; thick waxy cuticle B2 | 2 |
| (b) | xerophyte xerophyte B1 | 1 |
This question is about adaptive features.
Define the term adaptive feature.
Explain how each of these features helps a cactus survive in a desert: leaves reduced to spines; a thick waxy cuticle; stomata that open only at night.
Suggest two features of a water lily (hydrophyte) and explain how each helps it to survive.
An arctic fox has small ears and thick fur. Explain how these features reduce heat loss.
Explain how natural selection could have led to cacti having spines instead of broad leaves.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | inherited feature that helps survival and reproduction in an environment an inherited feature that helps an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment B1 | 1 |
| (b) | smaller surface area, less transpiration; waxy cuticle reduces evaporation; cooler night less water loss spines reduce surface area for water loss B1 thick waxy cuticle reduces evaporation B1 opening stomata at night when cooler / more humid reduces transpiration B1 | 3 |
| (c) | stomata on upper surface for gas exchange; air spaces for buoyancy; little xylem Any 2 of: stomata on the upper surface of floating leaves for gas exchange; large air spaces to keep leaves afloat; thin / no cuticle (water conservation not needed) B2 | 2 |
| (d) | small ears small surface area; fur traps air (insulation) small ears give a small surface area to volume ratio so less heat is lost B1 thick fur traps air, which is a poor conductor B1 | 2 |
| (e) | variation in leaf size; plants with smaller leaves lost less water, survived and reproduced; alleles passed on over many generations there was variation in leaf size in the ancestral population B1 plants with smaller leaves lost less water and were more likely to survive in drought B1 they reproduced and passed on their alleles, so over many generations spines became common B1 | 3 |
Cacti live in deserts.
Describe three adaptations of a cactus to reduce water loss.
Define an adaptive feature.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | spines; thick cuticle; few/sunken stomata; stem stores water Any 3 of: leaves reduced to spines; thick waxy cuticle; few stomata/sunken stomata; stems store water; stomata open at night B3 | 3 |
| (b) | inherited feature that helps survival and reproduction an inherited feature that helps an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment B1 | 1 |
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