Question
A group of scientists is studying how desert plants survive in extreme conditions. They compare two plant species:
Plant X has deep roots and thick, waxy leaves.
Plant Y has shallow roots and thin leaves.
Which claim is best supported by scientific reasoning?
(5 Points)
Plant Y is better adapted to the desert because its thin leaves allow it to absorb more sunlight.
Plant X is better adapted to the desert because its deep roots reach underground water, and its waxy leaves prevent water loss.
Both plants are equally adapted to the desert because all plants need sunlight to survive.
Plant X has deep roots and thick, waxy leaves.
Plant Y has shallow roots and thin leaves.
Which claim is best supported by scientific reasoning?
(5 Points)
Plant Y is better adapted to the desert because its thin leaves allow it to absorb more sunlight.
Plant X is better adapted to the desert because its deep roots reach underground water, and its waxy leaves prevent water loss.
Both plants are equally adapted to the desert because all plants need sunlight to survive.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The claim that is best supported by scientific reasoning is:
**Plant X is better adapted to the desert because its deep roots reach underground water, and its waxy leaves prevent water loss.**
This conclusion is backed by the understanding that in desert environments, access to water is critical for survival. Deep roots allow Plant X to access moisture from deeper soil layers, while thick, waxy leaves help minimize water loss due to evaporation, which is crucial in high-temperature and low-humidity conditions. In contrast, Plant Y's shallow roots and thin leaves would make it less effective in such an extreme environment where water is scarce.
**Plant X is better adapted to the desert because its deep roots reach underground water, and its waxy leaves prevent water loss.**
This conclusion is backed by the understanding that in desert environments, access to water is critical for survival. Deep roots allow Plant X to access moisture from deeper soil layers, while thick, waxy leaves help minimize water loss due to evaporation, which is crucial in high-temperature and low-humidity conditions. In contrast, Plant Y's shallow roots and thin leaves would make it less effective in such an extreme environment where water is scarce.