The reason why cacti do not lose water
Today's focus is on the topic of why cacti do not lose water. Let's learn about the reasons why cacti do not lose water and why they retain water.
1. The leaves of cacti have degenerated into needle-like shapes, minimizing water loss.
2. The photosynthesis of cacti does not occur during the day, but at night when evaporation and temperature are relatively low, minimizing water loss.
3. The entire body of the cactus is covered with a dense, waterproof waxy layer. This minimizes water loss and ensures that no rainwater is wasted during the rainy season. Rainwater that falls on the stems and leaves of the cactus smoothly slides down to its roots and is absorbed by its root system.
4. An excellent water storage and energy storage system. The shape of the cactus body can change elastically. When the cactus starts storing water and energy, the wrinkles on its body become shallow and the shape approaches a cylinder; when the cactus is in a water deficit state, the wrinkles on its body begin to deepen as the water deficit worsens.
5. An amazing water absorption system. The roots of the cactus not only spread over a large area on the surface but also extend vertically down to more than five times the height of its body. This not only compensates for the poor stability of its cylindrical body but also gives it an incredible ability to absorb water.
Do you understand the detailed introduction of the reasons why cacti do not lose water and why they retain water mentioned above?