Most living things require food, water, sunlight, and oxygen to survive and grow. Many living things also need minerals for healthy living. They get these resources in many different ways however. For example, flowering plants have roots, yet the root systems can vary. Monocots have many small roots spread out beneath the entire plant.
Dicots have a single large, deep root that produces smaller roots.
Monocots are better at absorbing water because the many small roots are constantly drawing in water. Dicots are more sturdy, stable plants because the large root serves as an anchor. Your Roots Help some seeds grow roots and consider the function of a plant's root system. If these natural survival resources are not available, some living things will, over time, adapt to their environment and find a way to survive anyway. The process of adaptation occurs in all living things.