Two important cellular functions are abscission and senescence. The separating of plant components from the mother plant is known as abscission. Senescence is a biological process wherein cells remain in a state of cell cycle inhibition indefinitely. After the creation of an abscission zone at the site of detachment, abscission occurs.
Senescence vs Abscission
The main difference between abscission and senescence is that abscission is a basic process by which green plants can release their aerial body parts like as a leaf, floral, fruit, seed, stem, as well as others from the mother plant, whereas senescence is a biochemical cycle of life wherein cells irrevocably stop trying to divide and gain entry in a state of perpetual growth arrest without dying.
Senescence is the biological mechanism of withering. It is the procedure through which cells cease proliferating irreversibly and reach a state of persistent growth arrest without dying. As a result, senescence can also be thought of as the final phase of development in plant species.
The abscission process is common in all plants. It is a method of separating cells. It’s a biological process that’s been carefully orchestrated. ABSCISSION: The physical separation of a specific plant part(s) from the mother plant. A collection of functionally distinct cell types is called an abscission area.
Comparison Table Between Senescence and Abscission
| Parameters of Comparison | Senescence | Abscission |
| Connotation | Withering is caused by senescence, which is a biological mechanism. As a result of this process, cells stop reproducing irreversibly but do not die. Accordingly, senescence can also be viewed as the ultimate stage of plant growth. | Across all plants, the abscission process occurs. It is a technique for isolating cells from one another. Biologically, it’s a well-planned and well-executed process. |
| Death and Protection | The process of Senescence can lead to the partial or the total death of plants. | On the other hand, Abscission protects the plants protects the plants from the verge of death. |
| Effects on Microorganisms | Senescence can never protect plants from any kind of infections. | Whereas, Abscission has a huge impact while protecting the plants from any fungal infections. |
| Association with ageing | Senescence is widely associated with the ageing process in plants. | On the other hand, Abscission isn’t associated with the ageing process. |
| Nutrients in plants | Senescence helps in mobilizing every nutrient from one plant organ to other. | Abscission, on the other hand, minimizes the loss of water and nutrients from the plant body. |
What is Senescence?
Senescence is the biological mechanism of withering. It is the procedure through which cells cease proliferating irreversibly and reach a state of persistent growth arrest without dying. As a result, senescence can also be thought of as the final phase of development in plant species.
Several plant hormones cause senescence in vegetation, including ethylene and abscisic acid. Senescence can occur at numerous levels, including organ, species, and cellular levels. Plants transfer resources from aging leaves to stems and roots. As a result, senescence is critical for plants’ fitness as well as longevity.
Cellular senescence can be caused by unfixed DNA damage or even other cellular stressors. Senescence in cells is defined by a set of characteristics. Debilitating processes in the cells include the buildup of metabolic byproducts, the cessation of protein and amino acid synthesis, a decrease in cellular respiration, and also the discharge of enzymes via lysosomes, among other things.
What is Abscission?
Abscission is a basic mechanism that occurs in plants. It’s a procedure for separating cells. In truth, it’s a well-orchestrated biological process. Abscission is the separating of a selected plant from the mother plant, such as with a leaf, flowers, fruit, seeds, stems, and perhaps other parts. Abscission occurs in abscission regions, which are groupings of functionally cell types.
Abscission zones are found in the plants at specific areas of organ separation. It is a crucial procedure that enables plants to lose their organs. Abscission permits senescent or physiologically impaired organs to be discarded.
Furthermore, abscission is required for effective seed and fruit dissemination. Old leaflets are removed after leaf abscission, which is a natural process. Abscission happens in young leaves whenever they are infected or infected with leaf diseases.
Moreover, abscission causes ripe fruits to fall from the vines. Abscission within plants is influenced by plant hormones like ethylene, auxin, as well as abscisic acid. Auxin is the primary mechanism that causes abscission.
Main Differences Between Senescence and Abscission
- Withering is caused by senescence, which is a biological mechanism. As a result of this process, cells stop reproducing irreversibly but do not die. Accordingly, senescence can also be viewed as the ultimate stage of plant growth. Across all plants, the abscission process occurs. It is a technique for isolating cells from one another. Biologically, it’s a well-planned and well-executed process.
- The process of Senescence can lead to the partial or the total death of plants. On the other hand, Abscission protects the plants protects the plants from the verge of death.
- Senescence can never protect plants from any kind of infections. Whereas, Abscission has a huge impact while protecting the plants from any fungal infections.
- Senescence is widely associated with the ageing process in plants. On the other hand, Abscission isn’t associated with the ageing process.
- Senescence helps in mobilizing every nutrient from one plant organ to other. Abscission, on the other hand, minimizes the loss of water and nutrients from the plant body.
Conclusion
Senescence seems to be the biological life cycle in which cells undergo a steady growth prosecution as well as other genetic modifications. Abscission seems to be the rational disassociation of plant parts from the mother plant. This is the crucial distinction between abscission and senescence.
Abscission is vital because it allows for the removal of senescent and physiologically impaired organs as well as the efficient dissemination of seeds. Plants use senescence to improve their fitness and survival.
Senescence happens at both the organ and organism levels. Abscission permits plants to discard senescent or physiologically impaired plant parts, which is beneficial to their fitness and survival.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030573640091357X
- https://academic.oup.com/plcell/article/12/2/183/6008728?login=true