July 17, 2026: Abscission
Biology
| Posted on August 3, 2026
I know that this is the height of summer (whew, it was hot outside this week), but let’s talk about fall for a minute. In September and October, at least here in Michigan, the days begin to get cooler and shorter. There is less and less benefit for deciduous trees to maintain their supply of chlorophyll, so they get rid of it, undergoing the degreening process (absorption of chlorophyll), followed by leaf abscission (the separation of the leaf from the tree, think ‘scissors’ for ab’scission’).
So why do we care about this right now, you ask? Well, we here in Biology have been undergoing our own ‘degreening’ and ‘abscission’ process, as we clear out our many large green lab tables. We recently shared some of this on our social media, if you’d like to see the abscission process for tables. Many generations of biology students have studied at these tables, but ‘there is a season for everything’ (Eccl 3:1) and we are moving into an exciting new season! Note that a local woodworker is repurposing the old tables, very fitting for our biological analogy – the cycle of life.
Yes, change is in the air here at Andrews Biology! Let me share some other things that have been happening:
So why do we care about this right now, you ask? Well, we here in Biology have been undergoing our own ‘degreening’ and ‘abscission’ process, as we clear out our many large green lab tables. We recently shared some of this on our social media, if you’d like to see the abscission process for tables. Many generations of biology students have studied at these tables, but ‘there is a season for everything’ (Eccl 3:1) and we are moving into an exciting new season! Note that a local woodworker is repurposing the old tables, very fitting for our biological analogy – the cycle of life.
Yes, change is in the air here at Andrews Biology! Let me share some other things that have been happening:
- Our rooftop greenhouse, the Andrews Botanical Conservatory, has received a major facelift! You’ll definitely want to visit this fall to soak up some sunshine and green when the outdoor green has gone. More on that next time...
- Our small classroom and main office also got a makeover. We’re excited to share these spaces with you in education and conversation.
- We are growing! Biology is now a part of the School of Life and Molecular Sciences, and we are looking forward to working more with our colleagues in adjacent disciplines to advance the education of our students! I might even use future editions of this email for sharing some agricultural and biochemical themes, both near and dear to my heart!
I hope your summer is also full of growth and productivity, with a healthy dose of rest! Although this email might sound like I’m working, I’m actually enjoying a week at Camp Au Sable, soaking up some time with God in nature and with friends and family before the semester begins!
A blessed Sabbath to you all!
A blessed Sabbath to you all!
