What part of a cactus relies on photosynthesis
This article introduces the knowledge of which part of a cactus relies on photosynthesis, and then lets us understand together.
Cacti grow in arid areas. At first, their appearance is like other plants, but later, in order to adapt to the water deficit climate of the desert and survive, they change their structure and lifestyle.
Trying to absorb as much water from the soil as possible while reducing water consumption, its stem becomes thick and sturdy.
There is a lot of flesh and abundant sap to store water, and its leaves gradually degenerate to save water consumption. The area slowly degenerates into the spiky shape we see on cacti.
Which part of a cactus relies on photosynthesis
In most plants, photosynthesis is accomplished by leaves, but in cacti, photosynthesis is performed by the stem. Since the stem of a cactus can store water, it has adapted to different arid environments.
The stems of cacti have distinct characteristics, some flat as a mirror, others overlapping like mountains. Some are as thin as a snake, others resemble a table lamp, some look like a pipe organ, and others are spherical or near-spherical.
This is how cacti adapt to different arid environments, presenting numerous changes according to the environment, which is a very strong adaptability.
Cacti want to reduce water evaporation and naturally start with the leaves. They first make the leaves smaller and thinner.
The leaves of newly grown cacti still have a bit of a sprout shape, but the more mature the cactus trunk is, the more deformed the leaves become. Finally, these leaves will all turn into woody spines, no longer consuming water.
While leaf spines can reduce water evaporation, the important function of leaves themselves, photosynthesis, cannot be performed.
The cactus solution is to give the tasks of storing water and performing photosynthesis entirely to the stem, which was originally only responsible for nutrient transport and body support.
This kind of structural simplification can not only reduce the path length of water transport but also allow the spines to protect the stem, which serves as a water storage warehouse. Animals that want to eat cacti will inevitably get hurt by the spines when trying to bite into the stem.
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