Question

How do desert plants prepare their own food?

Answer 1

Producing food in the arid desert region is not easy for desert plants.They use a modified form of photosynthesis and scientists call CAM photosynthesis. This process allows them to open the pores in their leaves to collect the carbon dioxide necessary for converting sunlight into glucose. They then close these pores and store the carbon dioxide internally until sunrise.
These plants have specialized root systems that allow them to gather moisture quickly from the limited amount of desert rain. The root system is broad but shallow. In some plants,the first few drops of rain trigger the growth of fine roots to improve the plant's ability to absorb and store moisture; these roots dry up later. A waxy layer on the surface of the pads helps reduce evaporation of water.
The temperature inside a plant can reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit without damaging the plant. As colder weather arrives, these plants store less water, and the internal moisture is converted to a thick mucus-like substance that helps the plant survive the cold.

Answer 2

Green plants produce food through the process of Photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis has a number of requirements mainly water, carbon dioxide and sunlight. The process takes place in the leaves of the plants, more specifically on the chloroplasts. To sustain photosynthesis, a plant gets sunlight with its leaves, water from its roots and carbon dioxide from its tiny openings called stomata. It requires nutrients and minerals, which plants collect from the soil. All the components that are involved in photosynthesis are interdependent. Lack of sunlight, water or carbon dioxide will surely interfere with the plant's food production processes.