Question

Give reason for the following:

In some xerophytes leaves are modifies into spines.

Answer 1

Xerophytes:

1. Xerophytic plants live-in environments with water scarcity.
2. It includes desert plants like cactus, acacia, etc.

In some xerophytes, leaves are modified into spines, because:

1. Xerophytic plants live in an environment with water scarcity. So, they need to prevent water loss by transpiration.
2. The smaller the effective surface area for transpiration, the lesser the loss of water as water vapor.
3. The spines have a smaller surface area compared to leaves, so, they easily prevent water loss by transpiration.
4. In addition to this spines also protect herbivorous animals.