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: -Succulents are another type of desert plant that are adapted for water conservation. They have fleshy leaves that store water, and often have a waxy coating that helps prevent evaporation. Many succulents, such as the aloe vera, are used for their medicinal properties.

Detailed explanation-3: -Plants adapt to their environment from necessity. Plants may also adapt by growing lower and closer to the ground to shield themselves from wind and cold. Desert environments may have some of the following adaptations, these help the plant to conserve food, energy and water and still be able to reproduce effectively.

Detailed explanation-4: -Desert plants have developed three main adaptive strategies: succulence, drought tolerance and drought avoidance. Each of these is a different but effective suite of adaptations for prospering under conditions that would kill plants from other regions.