Naked Science Forum

General Science => Question of the Week => Topic started by: Lewis Thomson on 15/02/2022 15:10:39

Title: QotW - 22.02.15 - Why don't plants freeze to death during Winter?
Post by: Lewis Thomson on 15/02/2022 15:10:39

Krzysztof has written to The Naked Scientists to find an answer to this question.

'Why don't plants freeze to death during Winter?'

Discuss your budding thoughts in the comments below...

Title: Re: QotW - 22.02.15 - Why don't plants freeze to death during Winter?
Post by: paul cotter on 27/04/2022 12:24:38

plants that survive very low temperatures have the biologic equivalent of antifreeze in their cells preventing the crystallization of water.

Title: Re: QotW - 22.02.15 - Why don't plants freeze to death during Winter?
Post by: alancalverd on 27/04/2022 12:53:14

And others die (annuals having seeded) or become dormant and desiccated above ground.

Title: Re: QotW - 22.02.15 - Why don't plants freeze to death during Winter?
Post by: coinblud on 29/06/2022 04:39:58

Plant cells survive sub-freezing temperatures by adjusting their solutes, proteins, and membrane lipids in order to withstand desiccation and avoid ice crystal formation.