Question

Explain the physiology of senescence.

Answer 1

Physiology of Senescence

• Cells undergo changes in structure.
• Vacuole of the cell acts as a lysosome and secretes hydrolytic enzymes.
• The starch content is decreased in the cells.
• Photosynthesis is reduced due to loss of chlorophyll accompanied by synthesis and accumulation of anthocyanin pigments, therefore the leaf becomes red.
• There is a marked decrease in protein content in the senescing organ.
• RNA content of the leaf particularly rRNA level is decreased in the cells due to increased activity of the enzyme RNAase.
• DNA molecules in senescencing leaves degenerate by the increased activity of enzyme DNAase.