Cacti have numerous adaptations that enable them to survive in arid climates; these adaptations enable the plant to efficiently gather water, store it for a long time, and conserve it (minimizing water loss from evaporation).
Cacti have thick, succulent stems with rigid walls that store water when it rains. The stems are fleshy, green, and photosynthetic. Either the stem’s inside is spongey or hollow (depending on the cactus). The water inside the cactus is prevented from evaporating by a thick, waxy layer.
Long, fibrous roots are common in cactus, and these roots take moisture from the earth. Some cacti, such as ball cacti, have smaller, more compact roots that can capture dew that falls from the cactus.
Most cacti feature scales or spines in place of leaves (which are modified leaves). These scales and spines do not evaporate their water (unlike regular leaves, which lose a lot of water). Predators (animals that would like to consume the cactus to gain food and/or water) are kept at bay by the spines. On a cactus, areoles are a circular collection of spines. An areole is where flowers bud, and it is also where new stems branch.
Why do cacti have tiny spines and a big meaty stem?
Why do cacti differ from other plants in having thorns instead of leaves and a thick, meaty stem?
The appropriate choices are A The cacti can hold more water as a result. Water would be lost because of broad leaves. In the desert, you can find thorny shrubs and cactus. Their thick, fleshy stems allow them to hold more water for a longer period of time. In addition, plants in the desert have thorns rather than leaves because big, broad leaves would make water evaporate quickly. Water moves through a plant during transpiration, and it evaporates from aerial parts including leaves, stems, and flowers.
Why is the cuticle on cactus so thick?
An Extra-Thick Cuticle Layer The cuticle prevents internal water reserves from evaporating into the atmosphere. The cactus’ cuticle also guards against germs that might try to enter through the skin.
Why do plants that flourish in arid environments have thick stems?
- To stop water from evaporating from the surface of leaves, leaves are reduced to spines. Fewer and sunken stomata are present.
- In order to stop water loss in hot conditions, both leaves and stems have a thick waxy coating.
- To perform the role of leaves, the stem turns green.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Neha, and I’m here to welcome you to today’s leaders online assignment solving session. The following query will be examined. Describe any adaption you have noticed in the desert that is geared at making friends, according to the question. To adapt Asians, which is primarily observed in desert plants, we must describe any. We all understand that there is a lack of water in deserts. Therefore, the first adaption that we see is that you Beeps are accustomed to spines.
Even in this storm, we can still discern second adaptation traits, such as sucking, on the surface of the leaves, which are visible on both stems. The leaves and stems are heavily waxed.
So how does this thick waxy coating help? In hot conditions, it actually stops water from evaporating. As you can see, the initial adaption features spines, so stop reducing when you reach them. Next, we have a thick waxy coating, which is visible in the second image as well.
The stem is you. It turns green. so that it can perform the leaf’s role. These are the characteristics of adaptability that are present in desert plants. Please leave a comment below if you have any queries, and be sure to follow this channel for regular updates. I’m grateful.
Why do desert plants have fleshy stems?
To prevent water loss from them. Explanation: Because there is little water in the desert, plants produce thick, fleshy stems to help them adapt to their environment and survive.
The cactus’ stem is fleshy; why is that?
Hint: Cactus plants are desert residents that thrive in arid environments. These plants have adapted to stop water from evaporating from their surface.
Complete response: Cladophylls are modified stems with a leaf-like appearance and a green color that are specialized for photosynthesis. They are typically flattened.
A cladophyll is a leaf even though it is anatomically a branch because it has nodes from which new stems, leaves, flowers, and even roots can grow. When it rains, cacti’s thick, tough-walled, succulent stems can hold water. The stem is typically either hollow or spongy on the inside. A thick, waxy layer prevents the stem from losing any water. It prevents evaporation by keeping the water inside the cactus.
Informational note: The cactus have lost their true leaves. Additionally modified with spines, the cactus’ leaves aid in lowering transpiration. Cacti’s spines also offer some protection from animals and cover. Areoles give rise to these specialized structures (highly reduced branches). Areoles are a distinguishing characteristic of cacti plants. Additionally, they produce tubular and multi-petaled flowers. Therefore, “Stems engineered to generate food using photosynthesis” is the right response.
Note: Cladophylls make up a large portion of succulents. – Cladodes, or prickly pear pads, are other names for cladophylls. – Flowers from various plants are produced by cacti, and these flowers are typically showy, delicate, and very alluring. – The pad cactus, sometimes known as prickly pear cacti, are found in the genus Opuntia, which is a sizable genus. The prickly pears are the fruit.
Why are cactus spines present?
The cactus family is known for its prickly spines, which are actually altered leaves. The kind of leaves that a maple or oak tree has are not present on cacti. But in the distant past, they might have had leaves that were at least somewhat more similar. Due to the fact that they aid the plants in surviving in hot, dry situations, those leaves eventually changed into the prickly spines we see on cactuses today.
“They could serve as a defensive strategy to prevent herbivores, or animals that consume plants, from consuming the cactus. But spines also produce shade! “Kimberlie McCue says.
“When you are covered with spines, those spines are throwing shadows on the cactus’ body as the sun moves across the sky. They are tiny umbrellas for shade.”
All cacti are native to arid regions, and some can even survive in dry climates. How do they acquire water to exist, then? Kimberlie informs us that these plants can be found close to the water.
“There will be fog coming off the ocean in the morning. Water condenses on those spines, forming tiny droplets, which then flow down the spine, to the plant’s body, to the soil, and to the roots.”
As they hold the soil in place and offer shelter to birds and other creatures, cactuses are also crucial components of their desert ecosystems. In exchange, such animals and birds assist in pollinating the cactus flowers. Cacti are a significant local source of food for people.
Cactuses are unfortunately threatened by people who illegally steal natural plants from their surroundings. According to Kimberlie McCue, being cautious when purchasing cactus plants is one method to ensure that cacti remain healthy and numerous. Before you buy, find out where the cactus came from and confirm that the vendor is being a responsible steward of these plants.