Question 2

How are cactus adapted to survive in a desert?

The presence of specific features or certain habits, which enable an organism to live naturally in a place is called adaptation. Following adaptations help cactus to survive in deserts.

(i) Leaves have modified into spines so that there will be minimum water loss by transpiration.

(ii)The stem is covered with a thick waxy layer to retain water.

(iii) The roots of cactus go deep into the soil, this helps them to extract water from the underground.