Which plant response would best aid a plant in maximizing and retaining water acquired during a drought?

Question

Decreasing root growth, while increasing stem and leaf growth

Decreasing stem and leaf growth, while increasing root growth

Increasing root, stem, and leaf growth

Increasing leaf and root growth, while decreasing stem growth

Answer 1

The best plant response to aid in maximizing and retaining water acquired during a drought would be:

Decreasing stem and leaf growth, while increasing root growth.

This strategy allows the plant to develop a deeper or more extensive root system, which can access water from deeper soil layers. Meanwhile, reducing stem and leaf growth conserves energy and minimizes water loss through transpiration, which is particularly crucial in drought conditions.