Neco 2021 Biology Question 43

Two desert plant species, A and B, differ in leaf adaptations. Species A has leaf area \\(50\,\text{cm}^2\\), thickness \\(0.2\,\text{cm}\\), stomatal density \\(200\\) stomata per \\text{mm}^2\\, and each stomata loses \\(0.05\,\mu\text{L}\\) of water per hour. Species B has leaf area \\(30\,\text{cm}^2\\), thickness \\(0.5\,\text{cm}\\), stomatal density \\(120\\) stomata per \\text{mm}^2\\, and each stomata loses \\(0.07\,\mu\text{L}\\) per hour. Assuming water loss is proportional to the total number of stomata multiplied by the loss per stomata and inversely proportional to leaf thickness (relative to a reference thickness of \\(0.2\,\text{cm}\\)), calculate the total water loss per hour for each species and state which species loses less water.