Deciduous plants shed their leaves during hot summer or autumn. This process of shedding of leaves is called abscission. Apart from physiological changes, what anatomical mechanism is involved in the abscission of leaves?
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Deciduous plants shed their leaves during hot summer or autumn. This process of shedding of leaves is called abscission. Apart from physiological changes, what anatomical mechanism is involved in the abscission of leaves?
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The hormones secreted by plant body influence anatomical
changes in it. In the future area of abscission, a special
narrow abscission zone develops. It consists of a upper
lignified and suberised protective layer. The separation
layer consists of unthickened cells where the hydrolysing
enzymes develop.
Pectinases are secreted out to dissolve middle lamellae.
Cellulases bring about hydrolysis of cell walls. Due to
this, the separation layer becomes soft and weak. This
leads to shedding of leaves from plants.