With reference to desert plants, consider the following statements: 1. Leaves are either absent, very small, or modified into spines. 2. The stem is generally thin and porous to allow water loss. 3. Photosynthesis in some desert plants is carried out by the green stem. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only. Explanation Desert plants, known as xerophytes, possess distinct morphological and physiological adaptations to survive in arid environments. These adaptations are primarily designed to conserve water, reduce transpiration, and store moisture for prolonged dry periods. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: In desert plants, leaves are often absent, highly reduced in size, or modified into spines (as seen in Opuntia). This reduction in leaf surface area minimizes water loss through transpiration. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The stems of desert plants are not thin or porous to allow water loss; rather, they are typically thick, fleshy, and succulent to store water. They are also covered with a thick waxy cuticle to prevent water loss. A porous stem would be detrimental in a desert environment as it would lead to rapid desiccation. - Statement 3 is Correct: Since leaves are often modified into spines and cannot perform photosynthesis, the stem takes over this function. In many xerophytes, the stem becomes green, flattened, and fleshy to carry out photosynthesis. Such modified stems are technically termed phylloclades. Key Takeaway: Xerophytes adapt to water scarcity by modifying leaves into spines to minimize transpiration and utilizing thick, green stems (phylloclades) for both water storage and photosynthesis.

NCERT Class 6 Science — Chapter 4: The living organisms - characteristics and habitats

mcqmedium

With reference to desert plants, consider the following statements:

Leaves are either absent, very small, or modified into spines.
The stem is generally thin and porous to allow water loss.
Photosynthesis in some desert plants is carried out by the green stem.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Desert plants, known as xerophytes, possess distinct morphological and physiological adaptations to survive in arid environments. These adaptations are primarily designed to conserve water, reduce transpiration, and store moisture for prolonged dry periods.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: In desert plants, leaves are often absent, highly reduced in size, or modified into spines (as seen in Opuntia). This reduction in leaf surface area minimizes water loss through transpiration.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The stems of desert plants are not thin or porous to allow water loss; rather, they are typically thick, fleshy, and succulent to store water. They are also covered with a thick waxy cuticle to prevent water loss. A porous stem would be detrimental in a desert environment as it would lead to rapid desiccation.
Statement 3 is Correct: Since leaves are often modified into spines and cannot perform photosynthesis, the stem takes over this function. In many xerophytes, the stem becomes green, flattened, and fleshy to carry out photosynthesis. Such modified stems are technically termed phylloclades.

Key Takeaway: Xerophytes adapt to water scarcity by modifying leaves into spines to minimize transpiration and utilizing thick, green stems (phylloclades) for both water storage and photosynthesis.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: The living organisms - characteristics and habitats

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Consider the following specific features of a camel that help it survive in desert conditions: 1. They excrete a small amount of urine to conserve water. 2. They sweat profusely to keep their bodies cool. 3. They have very short legs to keep their bodies close to the ground. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Correct Option

The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: In desert plants, leaves are often absent, highly reduced in size, or modified into spines (as seen in Opuntia). This reduction in leaf surface area minimizes water loss through transpiration.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The stems of desert plants are not thin or porous to allow water loss; rather, they are typically thick, fleshy, and succulent to store water. They are also covered with a thick waxy cuticle to prevent water loss. A porous stem would be detrimental in a desert environment as it would lead to rapid desiccation.
Statement 3 is Correct: Since leaves are often modified into spines and cannot perform photosynthesis, the stem takes over this function. In many xerophytes, the stem becomes green, flattened, and fleshy to carry out photosynthesis. Such modified stems are technically termed phylloclades.