Question

Strolling in the sonoran desert, you come upon a stately saguaro cactus. the large central "trunks" of this cactus are covered with numerous smaller spines. the central stalks are modified ________ used for water storage and spines are modified ________ used for protection.

Answer 1

stems for water,

leaves for protection

Answer 2

I believe that the central stalks are modified stems used for water storage and spines are modified leaves used for protection. Desert environment is normally hot and warm and therefore plants and animals have to have a mechanism to conserve water, the plants are very different such that they are often swollen, spiny, and have tiny leaves that are rarely bright green. These are as a results of adaptations to challenges of the desert.