/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 62 Why are plants with shallow root... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Why are plants with shallow roots more easily damaged by some herbivores? a. Shallow roots do not anchor the plant to the ground and can be easily uprooted. Once the plant is no longer in the ground, the roots are unable to grow back. b. Plants with shallow roots do not anchor the plant to the ground; meristems can be easily damaged and cannot grow back when not in the ground. c. Shallow roots do not anchor the plant to the ground and can be easily uprooted. Once the plant is no longer in the ground, roots take a long time to grow back. d. Shallow roots anchor the plant to the ground strongly but can be easily uprooted, and they grow back very slowly.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Option b is correct as it explains that shallow roots do not anchor the plant well and damaged meristems cannot regenerate, aligning with herbivore damage.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Question

Plants with shallow roots can be easily damaged by herbivores. We need to find the reason for this by examining the given options.
02

Analyze Option a

Option a suggests that shallow roots do not anchor the plant well, making it easy to uproot. After being uprooted, the roots cannot grow back. Check whether this aligns with the damage caused by herbivores.
03

Analyze Option b

Option b also claims that shallow roots do not anchor the plant well. It additionally mentions that meristems can be easily damaged and cannot regenerate when not in the ground. Verify if this is a plausible explanation for damage by herbivores.
04

Analyze Option c

Option c states that shallow roots do not anchor the plant well and that uprooted roots take a long time to grow back. Evaluate if this explains the increased susceptibility to herbivore damage.
05

Analyze Option d

Option d says that shallow roots anchor the plant strongly but can still be easily uprooted, with slow regrowth. Compare this with the nature of damage by herbivores.
06

Determine the Best Answer

Options a, b, and c refer to shallow roots that do not anchor well. Option b's point about meristems being damaged and unable to grow back seems most relevant to the harm caused by herbivores as it covers the primary reason for damage and non-regeneration.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

shallow roots
Shallow roots refer to root systems that are close to the soil surface. These roots offer minimal support to the plant. As a result, plants with shallow roots are not well-anchored. This makes them prone to damage from various forces, including wind and animal activity. Herbivores, such as deer or rabbits, can easily pull these plants out of the ground while grazing.

Once uprooted, the plant struggles to survive because the roots are no longer in the soil to absorb water and nutrients. This makes shallow-rooted plants particularly vulnerable.
herbivore damage
Herbivores are animals that feed on plants, and their feeding behavior can significantly affect plant health. When an herbivore pulls at a plant, especially one with shallow roots, it can easily uproot it. This uprooting not only removes the plant from its nutrient source but can also damage critical parts such as the meristems.

Damaged meristems hinder a plant's ability to regenerate and grow. Also, herbivores tend to chew and break plant tissues, making recovery difficult. This is why herbivore feeding can be particularly harmful to shallow-rooted plants.
plant meristems
Plant meristems are regions of undifferentiated cells where growth can take place. These cells divide and create new plant tissues, contributing to the plant's growth and regeneration. Meristems found at the tips of roots and shoots are crucial for the plant's development.

When plants with shallow roots are uprooted by herbivores, the meristems can be exposed and damaged. Damage to these growth regions can impede the plant's ability to regrow, recover from trauma, and continue its development. Protecting plant meristems is crucial for plant survival and resilience.
uprooting
Uprooting occurs when a plant is pulled out of the ground, often leading to severe physiological stress or death. For shallow-rooted plants, uprooting is a common consequence of herbivore feeding. The displacement from the soil means the plant can no longer access water and nutrients essential for its survival.

Without being anchored in the ground, the plant cannot stabilize itself, making it susceptible to further environmental stressors. Moreover, the damage caused to roots and meristems during the uprooting process greatly reduces the chances of recovery. As a result, once a plant is uprooted, its ability to regrow is significantly compromised.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Which plants have leaves that are adapted to cold temperatures? a. Conifers such as spruce, fir, and pine have ovalshaped leaves with sunken stomata, helping to reduce water loss. b. Succulents such as aloes and agaves have waxy cuticles with sunken stomata, helping to reduce water loss. c. Conifers such as spruce, orchids, and pine have needle-shaped leaves with sunken stomata, helping to reduce water loss. d. Conifers such as spruce, fir, and pine have needle-shaped leaves with sunken stomata, helping to reduce water loss.

Plant scientists are interested in isolating meristematic tissue for an experiment. They sample several regions of a plant. Which sample is most likely to contain meristematic tissue? a. the thin epidermis that covers an onion bulb b. a sample of fruit tissue c. a sample of actively dividing cells located at the tip of an onion root d. a region of the mesenchyme

How does selective uptake of water and mineral take place in a root? a. Water and minerals must follow entirely a path between cells, where selectivity occurs. b. Water and minerals must follow entirely a path between cells, where no selectivity occurs. c. Water and minerals must cross the endodermis. d. Water and minerals must cross the tracheids of the xylem.

Plants can modify their water potential by opening and closing their stomata to modulate the rate of respiration according to environmental conditions. Which of the following environmental conditions would cause the stomata to close? a. increased temperature b. high oxygen concentration c. high relative humidity d. high light levels

How is a leaf different from a leaflet? a. A leaf petiole attaches directly to the stem at a bud node, whereas a leaflet petiole is attached to the main petiole or the midrib, not the stem. b. A leaf has reticulate venation whereas leaflets show parallel venation. c. A leaf petiole attaches to the main petiole or the midrib, not the stem, whereas a leaflet petiole attaches directly to the stem at a bud node. d. A leaf has parallel venation whereas leaflets show reticulate venation.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.