The Wooly Plant of the Himalayas Has Adapted to the Low

question 29

Multiple Choice

The wooly plant of the Himalayas has adapted to the low temperatures of the alpine zone by growing dense pubescence that provides thermal insulation. What tradeoff occurs because of this adaptation?

• A) Reduced radiation at the leaf surface and lower photosynthetic rates
• B) Increased radiative warming because of increased reflection from the white hairs
• C) Increased water loss because of a thicker boundary layer around leaf
• D) Increased daily thermal amplitude because of thicker boundary layer

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Definitions:

Nutrients

Substances obtained from food that are vital for growth, maintenance of the body, and energy supply.

Estuaries

Coastal water bodies where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating an ecologically rich environment.

Salinity

The concentration of dissolved salts in water, affecting the density, biodiversity, and chemical behavior of aquatic environments.

Fluctuation

A variation or change in a state, quantity, or level, often without a set pattern or rhythm.