Question

Anatomical characters applicable to hydrophytes and xerophytes respectively are

• A. Poorly developed xylem and multilayered epidermis
• B. Well-developed xylem and flexible stem
• C. Stems with waxy coating and reduced mechanical tissue
• D. Very thick cuticle and spongy parenchyma

Hint:

Hydrophyte clues: thin cuticle, reduced xylem, large air spaces (aerenchyma).
Xerophyte clues: thick cuticle, multilayered epidermis, sunken stomata, reduced leaf area.
Match the habitat (water vs dry) to the need for support and water conservation to pick features quickly.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

1. Hydrophytes (aquatic plants) typically have poorly developed mechanical tissues and reduced xylem, because water availability is high and support/water-conducting requirements are lower. Hence "poorly developed xylem" matches hydrophytes.
2. Xerophytes (plants of dry habitats) show adaptations to reduce water loss — examples include thick cuticle, multilayered epidermis, sunken stomata, and other xeromorphic features; multilayered epidermis is a xerophytic feature.
3. Option (1) pairs the hydrophytic character "poorly developed xylem" with the xerophytic character "multilayered epidermis", so it correctly matches hydrophyte and xerophyte respectively.
4. Other options either mix features incorrectly (e.g., spongy parenchyma is hydrophytic, not xerophytic) or are partially inaccurate.
5. Therefore the correct answer is (1) Poorly developed xylem and multilayered epidermis.