Which terrestrial biome contains plants that are adapted to prevent water loss due to extremely dry conditions?

• A. Tundra
• B. Desert
• C. Temperate forest
• D. Savanna

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the characteristics of each biome listed in the problem. A biome is a large ecological area with distinct climate, flora, and fauna.
2. Step 2: Analyze the desert biome. Deserts are characterized by extremely dry conditions, with very low precipitation and high temperatures during the day. Plants in this biome have adaptations to conserve water, such as waxy coatings, deep roots, and reduced leaf surface area.
3. Step 3: Compare the desert biome to the tundra biome. Tundras are cold and have permafrost, which limits water availability, but the adaptations of plants here are more focused on surviving cold temperatures rather than conserving water.
4. Step 4: Examine the temperate forest biome. Temperate forests have moderate rainfall and temperatures, so plants here do not need extreme adaptations to prevent water loss.
5. Step 5: Evaluate the savanna biome. Savannas are grasslands with seasonal rainfall, and while some plants may have adaptations for dry periods, the conditions are not as extreme as those in deserts. Therefore, the desert biome is the correct answer.