Home PYQs UPPSC UPPSC MCQs Prelims 1996 (GS Paper I)

Question

Desert plants have longer root system because:

  1. High temperature of the soil encourages root growth
  2. Root grow in search of water
  3. Soil does not contain water, hence becomes compact and presses the roots to grow longer
  4. Roots move opposite to the solar heat

Answer:

Option B: Root grow in search of water

Detailed Solution:

The correct answer is “Root grow in search of water”.

Desert plants have long roots to absorb water from deep below the ground's surface because they grow in dry areas with little rainfall. Their roots can reach deeper, more humid layers of soil, especially during droughts. The mesquite tree has the longest roots of any desert plant, reaching up to 24 meters in length.