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Metamorphic Rock

There are three rock types on earth, named according to how the rock is formed. Igneous rock forms as it cools to a solid from molten rock. Sedimentary rock is formed from the consolidation of particles that come from other rock that has been weathered and eroded. Metamorphic rock forms when solid rock is altered by intense heat, pressure, or both. ...

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MetamorphicRock
Engineering

Don't Blow A Gasket!

Don't blow a gasket! Who hasn't heard this old adage at some time? What does it actually mean, and for that matter, what is a gasket? Gaskets are simple structures used to fill in and seal the spaces ... Continue reading

DontBlowAGasket
Physics

Somewhere Over Which Rainbow?

How many rainbows are there really when we only see one during a rainstorm? The answer isn't as simple as you might think! Rainbows are formed when light enters a water droplet, reflects once inside ... Continue reading

DoubleRainbow
Biology

Lionfish Invasion

Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles complex) are beautiful, yet venomous, coral reef fish from Indian and western Pacific oceans that have invaded East Coast waters. Ironically, this species of lionfish ... Continue reading

LionfishInvasion
Biology

Let Go, Gecko!

Geckos are small, insect-eating, noisy lizards that live in many parts of the world. While geckos have become common pets, the way that they manage to stick to smooth ceilings has remained a mystery. ... Continue reading

Geckos

How Do Cacti Survive in That Environment?

CactiSurviveMost plants require daily or weekly watering. Some people even give their plants extra nutrients with such products as 'Miracle Grow'. House plants may even come with directions as to how much sunlight, shade and water the plant needs to survive. So how do cacti that live in the desert survive by being deprived of water and nutrients? Through evolution these special plants have adapted ways to overcome their environment and predators.

Cacti are photosynthetic just like other plants; they use the sun for energy to grow. The body of a cactus actually swells in times of moisture so that it can store the much needed water for later. In times of drought the body sinks in, or contracts. The most distinct part of a cactus is its spines. Because regular leaves don't conserve water well, the cactus developed these modified leaves to adapt to its extremely dry environment. The spines are better at conserving water and surviving in hot temperatures. Regular leaves provide a large surface area for evaporation of water to occur, the tiny spines do not. The spines actually collect moisture from the air and let it drip down to the roots of the cactus. Also, spines are used to ward off predators. Would you want to eat something that is prickly?

It is a misconception that cacti actually live in true deserts where the ground is all sand. Most live in a sandy environment with very little soil, but enough for some limited nutrients to be found. Cacti are usually found in semi-desert regions and dry grasslands. One of the benefits of living in an arid region is that the cacti have no competition for the limited amount of nutrients in the ground because most other plants cannot survive in the harsh environment. If the environment does become too harsh for the cacti, they simply become dormant and grow again when there is moisture. Cacti are real survivors, packed full with evolutionary adaptations to endure their environments. They are probably one of the luckiest plants around.