Neco Model Questions Vol1 2024 Biology Question 12

Two desert plants, A and B, have different adaptations to reduce water loss. Plant A has a thick waxy cuticle that reduces its transpiration rate by \(40\%\) relative to a non‑adapted plant. Plant B reduces its leaf surface area, decreasing its transpiration rate by \(30\%\) relative to the same non‑adapted plant. The baseline transpiration rate of a non‑adapted plant under the current climate is \(12\ \text{mL day}^{-1}\). During an extreme drought, Plant A can also close its stomata, halving the transpiration that remains after the cuticle effect, whereas Plant B cannot close its stomata. Calculate the final daily water loss for each plant during the drought and state which adaptation results in the lower water loss.