Cactus's dont ave leaves they perform photosynthesis in flesy stems. y is this adaption vital in arid biomes?

Question

Cactus's dont ave leaves they perform photosynthesis in flesy stems. y is this adaption vital in arid biomes?

Answer 1

In order to perform photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is needed, so if cacti had typical leaves, the stoma would have to be open.  If they were open, a lot of water in the leaves would evaporate because of the hot and dry climate, so the plant would die.  Cacti are a certain type of plant called a CAM plant, which combine 2 different pathways...it's described here:

http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultrane...

Answer 2

yes

it is harder to store water in leaves then just the whole thing

and if it had leaves the prickles would have much of use

beacause it is easier to shade a trunk then all these leaves