Question

The stem of a cactus plant is fleshy and swollen to
(a) perform photosynthesis (b) retain water
(c) release water (d) none of these​

Answer 1

Answer:

Cacti plants are generally found in deserts or areas where rainfall is very less. Their stems are thick, fleshy and green stems to conserve water and chlorophyll and other nutrients.

Answer 2

The stem of a cactus plant is fleshy and swollen to retain water (option-b).

• Cactus is a xerophytic plant that grows on arid, dry desert land.
• The Cactus plant shows some physiological, metabolic, and morphological adaptations to tolerate high-temperature environment conditions.

• To prevent water loss and to store water its stem gets modified as a fleshy and swollen one.
• It also has spines all over its body to prevent the loss of water.
• It is also called a succulent plant as its body parts are thick, fleshy, and swollen.
• These are drought-resistant plants.
• These are osmotic-stress avoiders, that have specific modifications to retain water. In case of osmotic stress or low water availability such as - multilayer epidermis, wax-coating, skotoactive stomata (open at night and closed in the day time).
• Moreover, they have sunken stomata to prevent water loss.