A population of plants experiences several years of severe drought.Much of the population dies due to lack of water,but a few individuals survive.You set out to discover the physiological basis for their adaptation to such an extreme environmental change.You hypothesize that the survivors have the ability to synthesize higher levels of _____ than their siblings do.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Abscisic acid (ABA) is known for its role in plant response to drought stress. It regulates stomatal closure, plant water status, and gene expression involved in stress response. Higher levels of ABA can help plants to survive in drought conditions by reducing water loss through stomata, inducing root growth, and increasing osmotic adjustment. Therefore, it is likely that the survivors have the ability to synthesize higher levels of ABA than their siblings do.

A Population of Plants Experiences Several Years of Severe Drought