Question

During adverse season, therophytes survive by

• A. rhizomes
• B. seeds
• C. bulbs
• D. corms.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To answer the question regarding how therophytes survive during adverse seasons, we need to understand what therophytes are and their adaptive strategies.

Therophytes Explained: Therophytes are a class of plants that survive unfavorable conditions by completing their life cycle quickly and producing seeds that can withstand adverse conditions. They are annual plants, meaning they germinate, grow, reproduce, and die within one year.

Seed Survival Strategy:

• During adverse conditions such as drought, extreme cold, or heat, therophytes survive by using seeds as a resilient stage of their life cycle.
• These seeds enter a dormancy state, which allows them to withstand harsh environmental conditions until more favorable conditions return.
• Once the environment becomes conducive for growth, the seeds germinate, completing the life cycle of the plant.

Now, let's evaluate the options:

• Rhizomes: These are underground stems used for vegetative propagation and not typical survival structures for therophytes.
• Seeds: Correct answer as explained above, seeds are the primary survival strategy for therophytes during adverse conditions.
• Bulbs: These are underground storage organs and are not used by therophytes for survival.
• Corms: Similar to bulbs but used by perennial plants, not applicable to therophytes.

Conclusion: Therophytes survive adverse environmental conditions through the production of seeds, which can endure until favorable conditions for growth are met. Therefore, the correct answer is seeds.