2006-06-23 04:37:08 · 6 answers · asked by candi 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
Leaves sense the change in moisture in the environment with the coming storm. The stomata (openings in the bottom of the leaves only to exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen, with some water vapor needed for photosynthesis within the leave) take advantage of the added water source available from the air by rolling over temporarily to take on some water. They go back to normal when the rain starts so that the openings are not exposed to the rain and drown the openings.... Also, some leaves have flat petioles, (leaf stems) that make them roll over in the wind. Have you ever seen a quaking ASPEN tree? It shakes in the wind due to its flat stem structure of it's leaves....I can go on and on......hope this helps..... :-)
2006-06-23 14:22:50 · answer #1 · answered by Sammyleggs222 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The leaves sense the increase in moisture in the air from an approaching storm and flip to expose their undersides to the rain.
2006-06-23 04:43:03 · answer #2 · answered by Christina D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, they dont flip over. leaves are shaped in such a way that when rain water falls on them, it will just roll off the middle part. their waxy texture doesnt allow miuch rain water to stay on them. if leaves flip over when its raining, rain water may collect on them and block the openings of the stomatas.
2006-06-23 04:43:15 · answer #3 · answered by chipmunks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do they????
Maybe because the water flows off them better, rather than collecting in puddles inside the leaves.
2006-06-23 04:40:46 · answer #4 · answered by codrock 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have never seen this.. this may be a special type of tree that does this.. not all trees do.
2006-06-23 06:38:17 · answer #5 · answered by midi_junkie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wind
2006-06-23 04:40:31 · answer #6 · answered by elemenopee. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋