AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Close-Up on Cacti: Cactuses are extremely hardy plants. Over millions of years, they’ve evolved to be able to survive in the extreme conditions of a desert landscape. They can survive with very little water for an extremely long time, by storing moisture in their roots, leaves and stems.

Detailed explanation-2: -There are many different types of desert plants, including cacti, succulents, acacias, mesquite, creosote bush, and yucca. Each one has adapted in its own way to survive in the harsh desert environment. Cacti are perhaps the best-known desert plants.

Detailed explanation-3: -Spines or hairs shade plants and break up drying winds across the leaf/stem surface. The roots of desert plants are also adapted to help them survive. Some plants have shallow, widespread roots to absorb a maximum of rainfall moisture. Others have deep taproots to get water that is deep underground.

Detailed explanation-4: -A xerophyte (from Greek xeros ‘dry’ + phuton ‘plant’) is a species of plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with little liquid water, such as a desert such as the Sahara or places in the Alps or the Arctic.