Living vegetative tissue is killed at what temperature?

Living vegetative tissue is killed at what temperature?

• A. 100 F
• B. 135 F (foliage) and 145 F (cambium)
• C. 160 F
• D. 120 F

Answer: (B)

Living plant tissue dies when heat reaches temperatures that disrupt cellular structure and functions beyond repair, and different tissues have different tolerances. Foliage is directly exposed to heat, so it reaches lethal conditions sooner—about 135°F kills the cells in leaves. Cambium, which lies beneath the bark and is essential for nutrient transport and new growth, is protected and requires a higher temperature to be killed—about 145°F. The other temperatures listed are generally not sufficient to guarantee death of living tissue under typical burn conditions, though exact outcomes depend on exposure time and moisture. Therefore, the established thresholds are 135°F for foliage and 145°F for cambium.

Living plant tissue dies when heat reaches temperatures that disrupt cellular structure and functions beyond repair, and different tissues have different tolerances. Foliage is directly exposed to heat, so it reaches lethal conditions sooner—about 135°F kills the cells in leaves. Cambium, which lies beneath the bark and is essential for nutrient transport and new growth, is protected and requires a higher temperature to be killed—about 145°F. The other temperatures listed are generally not sufficient to guarantee death of living tissue under typical burn conditions, though exact outcomes depend on exposure time and moisture. Therefore, the established thresholds are 135°F for foliage and 145°F for cambium.