Question 1

What is a plant adaptation?

Accepted Answer

A plant adaptation is a special feature or behavior that helps a plant survive in its environment. For example, some plants have thick leaves to store water in dry places.

Question 2

Why do cactus plants have spines instead of leaves?

Accepted Answer

Cactus plants have spines to protect themselves from animals and to lose less water. The spines also help shade the cactus from the hot sun.

Question 3

How do some plants live in water?

Accepted Answer

Some plants, like water lilies, have big flat leaves that float on water to soak up sunlight. Their roots hang down in the water to take in nutrients.

Question 4

Why do some trees have thick bark?

Accepted Answer

Thick bark helps protect trees from animals and extreme weather, like very cold temperatures. It also helps stop fires from damaging the tree.

Question 5

How do plants survive in the desert?

Accepted Answer

Desert plants often have special ways to store water, like thick leaves or stems. They may also have deep roots to find water underground.

Question 6

Do some plants eat insects?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some plants like the Venus flytrap catch and eat insects. They do this because they live in places where the soil is not good, so they need extra nutrients from insects.

Question 7

Why do leaves change color in the fall?

Accepted Answer

In the fall, there is less sunlight, so trees stop making green chlorophyll. Without the green color, we see the yellows, oranges, and reds that were hiding in the leaves all along.

Question 8

How do plants survive in cold places?

Accepted Answer

Plants in cold places might grow close to the ground to keep warm and stay away from harsh winds. Some have needle-like leaves to keep snow from building up on them.

Question 9

Why do some plants have flowers?

Accepted Answer

Flowers help plants make seeds to grow new plants. They attract bees and other pollinators to spread pollen and help with seed-making.

Question 10

How do plants climb or hang onto things?

Accepted Answer

Some plants have special parts called tendrils that wrap around objects to help them climb. Others, like ivy, use tiny roots to stick to walls or trees.

Question 11

Why do pine trees have needle-like leaves?

Accepted Answer

Needle-like leaves help pine trees in cold or dry environments. They lose less water and can handle snow better than broad leaves.

Question 12

How do plants protect themselves from being eaten?

Accepted Answer

Some plants have sharp thorns or tough leaves that are hard to eat. Others might taste bad or even be poisonous to discourage animals from munching on them.

Question 13

Why do some plants grow really tall?

Accepted Answer

Tall plants like trees grow high to reach sunlight, especially in dense forests. Being tall helps them get more light than shorter plants.

Question 14

How do plants adapt to living in salty environments?

Accepted Answer

Plants in salty environments, like mangroves, have special ways to get rid of excess salt through their leaves. Some can filter out salt before taking in water.

Question 15

What is a succulent plant?

Accepted Answer

Succulent plants have thick, fleshy parts to store water, so they can survive in dry areas. They often have a waxy coating to help keep the water in.

Question 16

Why do some plants have hairy leaves?

Accepted Answer

Hairy leaves can help keep a plant warm or protect it from the sun. The tiny hairs also help trap moisture close to the plant.

Question 17

How do some seeds travel far from the parent plant?

Accepted Answer

Some seeds have wings or fluff that help them float in the wind. Others might be sticky or tasty, so animals carry them to new places.

Question 18

Why do some plants grow in the shade?

Accepted Answer

Shade-loving plants have adapted to grow with less sunlight. They usually have bigger, thinner leaves to catch more light in the dim areas.

Question 19

How do rainforest plants survive with so much rain?

Accepted Answer

Rainforest plants often have leaves with pointed tips to help water run off quickly. This keeps the leaves from getting too heavy or moldy.

Question 20

Why do some plants have bright colors?

Accepted Answer

Bright colors in plants, like flowers, help attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Some colorful fruits catch the eye of animals that spread seeds.

The World of Plant Adaptations - 20 FAQs Explained Simply