The Question is from neet-botany morphology-of-flowering-polants , and it was created by the author B VENKAT

Question

Which specific adaptation in the leaves of submerged hydrophytes contributes MOST significantly to their buoyancy and flexibility in water currents?

B VENKAT · Accepted Answer

## CORE INFORMATION
✓ **Answer**: C
## CONCEPT FRAMEWORK
	**Primary Concept**: Plant Adaptations to Aquatic Environments
	**Related Topics**: Hydrophytes, Buoyancy, Aerenchyma, Water Currents
	**Prerequisites**: Basic plant anatomy and the challenges faced by plants living in water.
## SOLUTION PATHWAY
**Given Information**:
	Submerged hydrophytes need adaptations for buoyancy and flexibility.
**Method & Steps**:
	1. **Consider the function of each adaptation:**
		Reasoning: Analyze how each option relates to buoyancy and flexibility.
	2. **Evaluate the impact of each adaptation:**
		Working:  Aerenchyma provides large air spaces, decreasing density and increasing buoyancy. Dissected leaves reduce water resistance but don't significantly contribute to buoyancy.  Absence of stomata is related to gas exchange, not buoyancy or flexibility. A thin cuticle is related to water absorption, not buoyancy or support.
		Key Point: Buoyancy is primarily achieved by reducing density, while flexibility is achieved by reducing resistance to water flow.
	3. **Identify the most significant contributor:**
		Result: Extensive aerenchyma is the most significant adaptation for both buoyancy and flexibility.
		Verification: Aerenchyma directly affects both density and resistance to water currents.
## OPTION ANALYSIS
[A] :x: Highly dissected leaves reduce water resistance and drag, improving flexibility, but do not contribute significantly to buoyancy.
[B] :x: Absence of stomata is an adaptation related to gas exchange in submerged plants, not buoyancy or flexibility.
[C] ✓: Presence of extensive aerenchyma provides large air spaces within the plant tissues. This reduces the overall density of the plant, increasing buoyancy. The air spaces also allow for flexibility in water currents.
[D] :x: A thin cuticle is related to water and nutrient absorption, not buoyancy or flexibility.  While it may contribute slightly to flexibility, its impact is far less than that of aerenchyma.
## LEARNING AIDS
	**Common Mistakes**:
		1. Confusing dissected leaves with aerenchyma: Dissected leaves primarily affect water resistance, while aerenchyma primarily affects buoyancy.
		2. Overlooking the role of aerenchyma: Aerenchyma is crucial for both buoyancy and flexibility.
	**Quick Tips**:
		1. Remember that air spaces are key for buoyancy in aquatic plants.
		2. Associate aerenchyma with both buoyancy and flexibility in submerged hydrophytes.

B VENKAT · Answer

Highly dissected leaves

B VENKAT · Answer

Absence of stomata

B VENKAT · Answer

The correct Option is "Presence of extensive aerenchyma"

B VENKAT · Answer

Thin cuticle

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