Question

How is cactus adapted to survive in a desert, Explain briefly?

Answer 1

Adaptation in cactus:

1. Adaptation is the development of particular features or habits which enables a living organism to survive better in its habitat.
2. The characteristics which allow the cactus plants to survive in the hot dry environment of a desert are:-

Leaves:

1. The leaves of cactus plants are reduced to needle-like structures known as spines or thorns.
2. These thorns protect grazing animals and reduced the loss of water from the leaves through transpiration.

Stem:

1. In the hot desert the cactus plant grows, the leaves are reduced to the spine, or in some cases, it is completely absent, therefore, the leaves are unavailable for photosynthesis.
2. The stems of the cactus are modified to perform the functions of leaves, they become green, thick, and fleshy to perform photosynthesis.

Roots:

1. The roots of the cactus are long and penetrate deep inside the solid to maximize the amount of absorbed water and minerals which are drastically low in the desert.