Question

Write a short note on adaptations of desert plants.

Answer 1

1. Plants found in deserts are well adapted to cope with harsh desert conditions such as water scarcity and scorching heat.
2. Plants have an extensive root system to tap underground water. They have thick cuticles and sunken stomata on their leaves to reduce transpiration.
3. In Opuntia, the leaves are reduced to spines, and green stems carry out photosynthesis. 
4. Desert plants have special pathways for synthesizing food, called the CAM (C4) pathway. It enables the stomata to remain closed during the day, reducing water loss through transpiration.