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In winter the leaves of chaparral shrubs __________.

A)
remain green
B)
turn red and orange
C)
fall off
D)
expand and soften

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Chaparral shrubs are adapted to dry summers and remain green in winter as they enter a state of dormancy during this season to conserve water and avoid shedding leaves.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the chaparral biome, shrubs dominate the vegetation and have evolved to adapt to the environmental conditions present. During the winter, the majority of rain falls, while summers tend to be very dry, causing many chaparral plants to become dormant during this season. Dormancy in plants includes slowing down cellular activities and often shedding leaves to reduce water loss.

The chaparral shrubs possess adaptations that allow them to conserve water during the dry summer months. Unlike deciduous plants that shed their leaves seasonally in response to extreme dryness, chaparral shrubs do not lose their leaves but instead their leaves remain green throughout the winter. This is because their growth pattern is primarily affected by summer drought rather than winter conditions.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is A) remain green.

User Jhonatan Teixeira
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