A student states that lotus plant have very few stoma. Correct his statement with suitable explanation
Answers
A lotus plant is born adapted to life in water. Individual plants do not need to adapt themselves to live in water.
On the whole, plant species that live in water are adapted in a number of ways.
They have stems, leaves and petioles that have air spaces for floatation
The leaves have a large surface area for photosynthesis. The leaves can only be on one single layer unlike land plants that have multiple layers.
The top surface of the leaves are waterproof so that water is repelled from surface allowing the stomata to operate properly.
The underside has thorns for protection
The stems do not need woody fibres as the water supports them
Apparently lotus plants can warm the water around themselves to create a microclimate.
The flowers float to allow pollination by insects
The seeds float in water to aid plant distribution
Lotus plants do not have very few stomata. In fact, lotus plants have many stomata that are located on the 'upper surface' of the leaves.
EXPLANATION:
The stomata in lotus help it to adapt it to the life in water. Stomata control the flow of water vapour and gases between the leaf and the atmosphere. The stomata are located on the upper surface which allows the plant to breathe and take in 'carbon dioxide' which is essential for photosynthesis.