Researchers discover novel molecular mechanism that enables conifers to adapt to winter – Phys.org

In boreal forest during late winter, freezing temperatures are typical but at the same time the sun can already shine very brightly. This combination is especially dangerous to evergreen plants, such as conifers. The chlorophyll pigment-proteins in their needles absorbs light, but the enzyme activity, stopped by the cold, prevents the plants from using the light for photosynthesis. This exposes the cells to damage.
Dissipating the excess light energy as heat, the so-called non-photochemical que…

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