Which of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in the desert areas to inhibit water loss ?
- 1.Hard and waxy leaves
- 2.Tiny leaves
- 3.Thorns instead of leaves
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
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Answer: D. Desert plants cut water loss in all three ways: hard, waxy leaves (thick cuticle) reduce evaporation, tiny leaves expose less surface, and in plants like cactus the leaves are reduced to thorns so the green stem does photosynthesis. So 1, 2 and 3.
Watch for: Students remember the cactus thorn and forget that waxy coating and small leaves serve the same purpose.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because waxy leaves are also a desert adaptation.
- B. Wrong because thorns and waxy leaves are also adaptations.
- C. Wrong because tiny and waxy leaves are also adaptations.
Source to check: NCERT Class 6 Science, Chapter 9 'The Living Organisms and Their Surroundings' (desert adaptations)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.