Question

Why do the plants on a snowy cold mountain and the plants on a hot arid desert appear very different in structure and shape?

Snowy Mountain: Pine Tree

Hot Desert: Cactus Plant

• A. Pine and other trees that grow in snowy mountains don't need water, they need snow to grow.
• B. The structure and shape of trees develop according to the surroundings.
• C. So that cacti can survive in snow and pine can survive in a desert.
• D. Cactus needs more food whereas pine doesn't require much food.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

The structure and shape of trees develop according to the surroundings.

The difference in the structure of these two plants is because of the basic law of nature that is an adaptation. It is a fact that all organisms whether plants or animals adapt themselves according to their surroundings. That's why the structure of pine trees and the cactus plants are different. Pine trees are tall and their leaves are so thin (also known as needles) to minimise water loss due to transpiration. On the other hand, cacti have leaves that are modified into spines. They have stems and long roots which help them to store water in hot and arid areas with water scarcity.