The most important adaptation of xerophytes is the ability of the protoplasm to
Answer Details
Xerophytes are plants that are adapted to grow in environments with very little water, such as deserts. One of the most important adaptations of xerophytes is their ability to resist being damaged by the loss of water. This adaptation is achieved by the ability of the protoplasm to shrink from the cell wall.
When xerophytes are exposed to high temperatures and low humidity, they lose water through transpiration at a very high rate. If the protoplasm were to remain in contact with the cell wall, it would dry out and become damaged. However, xerophytes have developed a mechanism to avoid this by shrinking their protoplasm away from the cell wall. This creates a space between the protoplasm and the cell wall, which is filled with air. The air layer provides insulation and reduces the rate of water loss from the plant.
This process of shrinking away from the cell wall is known as cytorrhysis, and it is a reversible process. When water becomes available again, the protoplasm swells and returns to its original position against the cell wall.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: The most important adaptation of xerophytes is the ability of the protoplasm to resist being damaged by the loss of water by shrinking from the cell wall.