Question

Write the adaptation in aquatic plants due to which
(a) Submerged leaves can bend in the flowing water.
(b) Leaves can float on the surface of the water.

Answer 1

Hint: We know that plants that have adapted to life in water are known as aquatic plants. To differentiate them from algae and other microphytes, they are sometimes called hydrophytes or macrophytes. A macrophyte is an emergent, submergent, or floating plant that grows in or near water.

Complete answer:
Aquatic plants require special adaptations to live submerged or at the surface of the water.
(a) Submerged leaves can bend within the flowing water.
We know that some aquatic plants are totally submerged in water. So, these plants grow in water that is all of their parts. The narrow and very thin ribbon-like leaves of these submerged plants allow them to bend in running water. We should also remember that the roots and leaves do not have any strengthening tissue. As a result, the stems that carry the leaves will quickly bend in water bodies.
For e.g. tape grass.

(b) Leaves can float on the surface of the water.
Some aquatic plants have long, hollow, and light roots. These roots rise up to the water's surface, and the leaves can float on the water's surface. We also know that the leaves of aquatic plants float on the surface of the water to capture as much energy as possible for photosynthesis. Air sacs in the tissues of the stems and leaves allow them to lower weight and float on the surface. Example-Lotus.

Note: We know that aquatic plants need unique adaptations to survive underwater or above the surface of the water. The presence of lightweight internal packing cells, aerenchyma, is that the most helpful in plant adaptation, but floating leaves and finely dissected leaves also are ways during which plants adapt in water.