Question

Why are the leaves reduced to spines in the cactus?

• A. To have more flowers.
• B. To lose less water through transpiration.
• C. To absorb more water
• D. None

Answer 1

The correct option is B

To lose less water through transpiration.

If the plants have fewer leaves or no leaves at all, it will lose less water by transpiration. In deserts, there is a scarcity of water. Leaves in the form of spines mean that there is a lesser surface area of the leaf to lose water by transpiration. Thus, spines help them to reduce water loss.