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Yes, cacti have evolved to eliminate leaves and replace them with spines.

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What part of the cactus does photosynthesis?

In a cactus the leaves have been reduced to spines, to reduce the surface area from which water can be lost and to deter animals from eating the plant. As there are no leaves, photosynthesis must take place in the stem.


Does the cactus and pine both has spongy and palisade layers?

No, cacti do not have a spongy and palisade layer in their leaves like pine trees do. Cacti have specialized structures called spines and glochids instead of leaves, which help reduce water loss in arid environments. Pine leaves have a spongy layer that helps with gas exchange and a palisade layer for photosynthesis.


What are cacti thorns useful for?

Cactus spines prevent moisture loss from plants. Spines also defend the plants from grazing animals. The spines are just modified leaves.


What adaptation helps protect a cactus against herbivores?

Cacti have developed thick, spiny structures known as spines, which are modified leaves that serve as a primary adaptation to deter herbivores. These spines not only make it difficult for animals to consume the cactus but also reduce water loss by providing shade and minimizing airflow around the plant. Additionally, some cacti produce toxic or unpalatable compounds, further discouraging herbivory. Together, these adaptations enhance the cactus's survival in harsh environments.


Why are cactus leaves tiny?

I think because in a desert, the cactus doesn't find much water. So, to save water it does not expel much water out of itself, and as stomata is responsible for expelling water of the plant, the cactus has less stomata

Related Questions

What are cactus spikes really called?

Glochids. The spikes on a cactus are called Glochids.


What is the function of leaves on a cactus?

defence. the cacti leaves are the thorns...


What part of the cactus does photosynthesis?

In a cactus the leaves have been reduced to spines, to reduce the surface area from which water can be lost and to deter animals from eating the plant. As there are no leaves, photosynthesis must take place in the stem.


Does the cactus and pine both has spongy and palisade layers?

No, cacti do not have a spongy and palisade layer in their leaves like pine trees do. Cacti have specialized structures called spines and glochids instead of leaves, which help reduce water loss in arid environments. Pine leaves have a spongy layer that helps with gas exchange and a palisade layer for photosynthesis.


Why do desert plants have long and spiny leaves?

The cactus has spiny leaves so the water that it retains can't evaporate so easily, and for protection.The cactus has spiny leaves so the water that it retains can't evaporate so easily, and for protection.


Why are leaves modified to form spines in the cactus plant how then does the cactus plant make food?

The cactus adapted to its harsh environment by developing thick skin to slow the evaporation of water. The leaves changed in order to reduce the surface area that water could evaporate from and over time became defensive spines to protect itself from animals trying to get inside its thick skin for the moisture. The cactus makes its food, by having chlorophyll throughout the rest of plant. That is why the entire cactus is green.


How is the barrel cactus significant to the desert?

The barrel cactus survive long periods of drought by storing sparse rain water in stem cells. Other species of cacti also store water. Leaves have evolved into thin spikes and thorns to reduce water loss, which would occur with conventual broad-leaves.


What are cacti thorns useful for?

Cactus spines prevent moisture loss from plants. Spines also defend the plants from grazing animals. The spines are just modified leaves.


Why does a cactus have spiny leaves?

Cacti have spiny leaves to reduce water loss by providing shade and reducing air flow around the plant, which helps to conserve water in their arid environments. The spines also act as a protective barrier against herbivores looking to eat the plant.


How do cactus save water?

Cactus have a waxy layer on them to prevent water loss and reduce transpiration


Which is a modification into the spine in cactus plants?

The cactus adapted to its harsh environment by developing thick skin to slow the evaporation of water. The leaves changed in order to reduce the surface area that water could evaporate from and over time became defensive spines to protect itself from animals trying to get inside its thick skin for the moisture.


A cactus or the onion leaf would have a thicker cutin?

A cactus would have a thicker cuticle compared to an onion leaf. This is because cacti are adapted to withstand harsh desert conditions and need a thicker cuticle to reduce water loss. Onion leaves, on the other hand, do not face the same level of water stress.