Question

__________ trees shed their leaves during winter and hot summer.
A. Evergreen
B. Coniferous
C. Deciduous
D. Shola

Answer 1

Hint:Many of the trees shed their leaves as a strategy to survive harsh weather circumstances. Trees like Ash, Birch, Maple, Oak, etc. shed their leaves for part of the year. These trees have broad leaves that are vulnerable to damage during dry and cold weather conditions.

Complete answer:Shedding of leaves is a natural process that occurs concerning prevailing weather conditions. Most of the time shedding leaves is a strategic action to survive harsh weather. Shedding of leaves helps the trees to conserve water and energy. Specialized cells cause the act of abscission that is triggered by various plant hormones and this results in the shedding of leaves. Trees reabsorb valuable nutrients from the leaves before shedding them. The nutrients are stored for future use when unfavorable conditions arrive. Trees turn red or orange during the fall as chlorophyll which gives green color to leave is the first unit to be broken down for energy. The exposed areas from where leaves are cut off are covered by a protective layer of cells.
Most of the deciduous trees that have broad leaves shed their leaves during winter and the hot summer part of the year. These periods mark scarcity of moisture and excessive need for energy to sustain trees. Thus, deciduous trees in the Northern Hemisphere like Ash, Oak, Maple, Aspen, Beech, Birch, Hickory, Elm, etc. shed their leaves during autumn as cold winter approaches.

Thus, from the above discussion, we can conclude that the right answer is option C.

Note: Shedding of leaves also provides uninterrupted pollination of flowers in future springtime. The air blown pollen finds it easy to pollinate the female flowers without leaves getting in the way. Thus, the shedding of leaves is an important natural event that must occur for the sustainability of deciduous trees.