AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Spines are also modified leaves. In cacti, spines are wholly transformed leaves that protect the plant from herbivores, radiate heat from the stem during the day, and collect and drip condensed water vapour during the cooler night.

Detailed explanation-2: -Those prickly spines that are so characteristic of the cactus family are actually modified leaves!

Detailed explanation-3: -Cactus spines are produced from specialized structures called areoles, a kind of highly reduced branch. Areoles are an identifying feature of cacti.

Detailed explanation-4: -The spines of cacti are actually modified leaves. It helps to imagine cacti as large stems with spines for leaves.

Detailed explanation-5: -These spine clusters almost act like mini-umbrellas that help to shade the plant. By shading the cactus, these spines also help prevent the cactus from losing water through evaporation. So all in all, spines are adaptations that protect and help cacti hide from animals that may want to eat them.