Why do cactus store water

Cactus is a member of the family Cactaceae with at least 1, known species. The plant comes in a vast range of shapes and sizes, and almost all are succulents although a few are not. Cactus store water in their stems through water storage cells. The cells improve the water storage space within the stems by increasing the surface area.

This leads to a more enhanced ability to store water. Other types of cacti store water in their root system. These plants can absorb and retain water for a long period.

Cacti have succulent stems that are thick and hard-walled where the water is stored after rain. The stems are green, fleshy, and photosynthetic. The outer part allows the cacti to absorb carbon dioxide utilized in photosynthesis. The inner part of the plant is spongy or hollow depending on the variety of cactus.

This innermost layer is succulent and has numerous collapsible water storage cells that keep the cacti hydrated and healthy despite prolonged dry spells. The cells have an elastic and lignified wall along with fewer chloroplasts.

Plants go through seasonal changes after detecting differences in day length. Plants need water, light, warmth and soil or compost to grow. During spring they get the conditions they need to begin to grow. The longer days mean they have more daylight and warmth from the Sun which raises the temperature of both air and soil.

They do this by elongating the cells of the stem on the side that is farthest from the light. In spring, the weather begins to get warmer and trees and other plants grow new leaves.

Summer is the hottest season and has long, usually sunny, days. In the fall, the weather becomes mild and leaves start falling from many types of trees. Winter is the coldest season, with short days.

Leaves appear on trees in the spring. They burst out of buds in which they have remained dormant all winter long. Sunlight triggers the bud break. In the spring, the sun gets brighter and brighter, and the days longer. High temperatures speed up the normal living process of plants to a maximum rate at and above 90 degrees F. This means that most plants can take temperatures up to 90 degrees F. Anything above that—the hotter it gets, the more they suffer!

Nov 6, Great, Justin! We're glad it was helpful! What is the most interesting thing you learned? Avery Fisher Nov 18, Wonderoqolis is ASUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nov 20, Essence Watts May 3, I think tomorrow WOD of the day is animal noises. Wonderopolis May 4, Albert Link Feb 8, There must be something inside the cactus plant telling the cactus water is short supply, and we need to conserve water.

On the same token, there must be something in the plant telling the cactus there is plenty of water after a rain, renourish your self with water and get ready for another dry spell.

What is inside the cactus that is telling the cactus what to do when it is dry, and the cactus needs to conserve water? Likewise what is inside the cactus telling the cactus there is plenty of water, and the cactus should store water for the next dry spell?

Wonderopolis Feb 9, May 28, Hi, Our class has a few questions for you! How does the cactus grow if people don't plant it? How do you open a cactus and get a drink? How does a cactus grow its spikes? Does a cactus have other liquid inside it other than water? Do you use the spikes to open the cactus? How do the flowers grow on the cactus? We look forward to reading your answers.

Thank you so much :. Wonderopolis May 28, Jimmyrock May 27, Wonderopolis May 27, Destiny May 26, Wonderopolis May 26, Sue May 26, Wow, what an artistic view of Saguaro Park, quite an excellent video!!! Love the music too. What is the name of the background tune? Tyler May 26, Andreaisawesome May 18, I love the new version and also the Wonder of the Day! Related Wonders for You to Explore Match its definition: recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances.

Word Match Congratulations! Share results. Play Again Quit. Next Question. See your results. Share Results. Retake The Quiz. The stem has in due course of time evolved to be thick and fleshy in the inside that ensures proper spacious storage space for water and is covered with thorns and wax from outside that protects and prevents water loss respectively. Even if you want to grow cactus in your home, ideally it will thrive only when you provide it with the suitable soil and environment it will normally get in its habitat.

Cactuses have a well-developed root system that facilitates water absorption to minute level from the below soil. It can go extremely deep penetrating the deep soil levels in search of water and it is also highly branched.

They also have spines that not only protect them from animals but also help in absorbing moisture and preventing water loss. They are deep and branched so that they can read the underground water reservoir and can soak every bit of water from the soil that is available. There are various types of roots:.