Answer:
The plant drops its leaves before going dormant for several reasons:
1. Conservation of energy: During dormancy, plants undergo reduced metabolic activity to conserve energy. Leaves are responsible for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. Dropping leaves help the plant save energy by minimizing the energy expenditure required to maintain and support the leaves.
2. Protection from harsh conditions: Dropping leaves protects the plant from extreme weather conditions such as freezing temperatures, strong winds, and drought. By shedding its leaves, the plant reduces the surface area exposed to these unfavorable conditions, which helps to prevent excessive water loss and damage to delicate leaf tissues.
3. Nutrient recycling: Before dropping their leaves, plants withdraw valuable nutrients from them and transfer them to other parts of the plant, such as the stem and roots. This process is known as nutrient recycling. By reabsorbing and storing nutrients, the plant can use them later when conditions become more favorable for growth.
4. Dormancy signals: The dropping of leaves can also act as a signal to initiate the dormancy process. As the days become shorter and temperatures drop, plants respond to these environmental cues by triggering hormonal changes that result in leaf senescence and eventual leaf drop.
Overall, shedding leaves before going dormant allows plants to conserve energy, protect themselves from harsh conditions, recycle nutrients, and respond to environmental cues. This process helps ensure their survival during unfavorable conditions and prepares them for renewed growth when conditions improve.
Step-by-step explanation: