Question

The roots of submerged aquatic plants grows
A. Under the ground
B. Above the ground
C. Under the water
D. Above the water

Answer 1

Submerged aquatic plants are plants that live under the water. They have specific mechanisms to adapt to the aquatic environment and to prevent the vegetative structures from decaying.

Step by step answer: Certain plants that have specific mechanisms to cope up with their habitats. This includes plants seen in dry and arid regions, plants seen inside water, swamp conditions, etc. Their roots as well as shoots are modified to enable survival in those different conditions. Plants that live completely underwater are called submerged aquatic plants. They have modifications in their leaf as it contains a waxy coating that prevents the leaf from damage. Plants living in aquatic habitats are called hydrophytes.
-These plants have a special type of tissue called aerenchyma in them which is filled with air spaces. This helps them to keep floating in the water. Roots of aquatic plants are also modified as they are seen as hair-like structures.
-Plants growing in dry conditions have adaptations to withstand them. In some plants like cactus, leaves are seen modified into spines. There is a special coating on the leaves called cuticle. It prevents water loss through leaves. In general, these plants have less modified shoot system and more modified root system.
-Plants living in swampy regions too have modifications. Their roots grow to the surface and grow vertically upwards as in Rhizophora. These roots help in respiration and are called pneumatophores.
Hence option C is correct.

Note: Pollination in aquatic plants is not as easy as that of terrestrial plants. Pollination takes place by water in these plants and is called hydrophily. Here, pollen grains are shedded either to the water surface or beneath the surface.