Plants : What makes plants survive winter

A

arauca

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WHat is the difference in the metabolic process in plants, those that tolerate freezing those that die as frost sets in ?
 
IMHO . . . has to do with plant genetics . . . and whether the plant produces it's own 'antifreeze' (probably also genetic). Annuals vs perennials? Depth of root system (below frost-line?) may also play an important role.
 
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arauca said:
What sort of antifreeze do they produce ?
Click to expand...

A "green " type probably TEAK. :D

It is hard to imagine how plants can possibly survive in weather this cold, especially when we consider the fact that water can make up 90% of the weight of plants. Thankfully plants have a natural anti-freeze that helps to prevent the water inside from freezing. Plants store the sugar they make during photosynthesis in cells throughout their roots, stems, and leaves (if they still have leaves). In addition, they store minerals they uptake from the soil. Plants also produce a range of natural oils that thicken their sap. The sugar, minerals, and oils mix with the water to create a natural anti-freeze throughout the plant. This mixture will not freeze at 32 degrees. In fact, depending on the individual plant - the mixture can be so effective that it may only freeze at temperatures of 40 degrees below zero or colder.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...MThtlB-HA5KpOMF-w&sig2=LmfOIKqNSb_GH8hCVQqcwA
 
arauca said:
WHat is the difference in the metabolic process in plants, those that tolerate freezing those that die as frost sets in?
Click to expand...


Genetics is the answer.

Cold-tolerant plants are capable of activating genes that encode a wide range of enzymes and other proteins that confer cold tolerance. For example:

-- enzymes that are capable of working at low temperatures
-- enzymes that can repair cellular damage caused by frost
-- cytoskeletal-related proteins that can help prevent and repair frost damage
-- proteins that modulate ion channels and signal transduction pathways
-- proteins that prevent damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS)

...and more.

http://scholar.google.com.au/scholar?q=cold+tolerance+plants&hl=en&as_sdt=1,5&as_sdtp=on
 
Hercules Rockefeller said:
Genetics is the answer.

Cold-tolerant plants are capable of activating genes that encode a wide range of enzymes and other proteins that confer cold tolerance. For example:

-- enzymes that are capable of working at low temperatures
-- enzymes that can repair cellular damage caused by frost
-- cytoskeletal-related proteins that can help prevent and repair frost damage
-- proteins that modulate ion channels and signal transduction pathways
-- proteins that prevent damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS)

...and more.

http://scholar.google.com.au/scholar?q=cold+tolerance+plants&hl=en&as_sdt=1,5&as_sdtp=on
Click to expand...



by fast glancing the sight : I get to think plants that tolerate cold weather should have a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and at the same time they should have a higher content of Calcium and chloride ions, this way the membrane would be more flexible the ion tunnels wiil permit passage if higher hydrated ions and water is not going to freeze.
Just a quick opinion
 
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