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Plant Hormones

Controls of growth, development and movement

Processes in growth
Cell division. Cell enlargment. Cell differentiation.

Primary growth
protoderm procambium Leaf primordia

Apical meristem
Ground meristem
Forming axillary bud

Secondary growth
Vascular cambium xylem Ray parenchyma

cork

Phloem with bands of fibers

Seed Germination
Scarification
mechanical chemical heat

Mobilization of reserves

Mobilization of reserves

Movement in Plants
Turgor movements (changes in turgor pressure in selected cells) Growth movements (elongation of selected cells in response to stimulus)
phototropism geotropism thigmotropism

Turgor movement Mimosa pudica L. (sensitive plant)

Pulvinus of Mimosa pudica

Tropic responses

Directional movements in response to a directional stimulus

Growth movement

Phototropism

Geotropism

Statoliths

Thigmotropism

Hormones
Signal molecules produced at specific locations. Occur in low concentrations. Cause altered processes in target cells at other locations.

Plant growth substances


Artificially synthesized substances which produce hormone like responses

General plant hormones


Auxins Gibberellins Cytokinins Abscisic acid Ethylene

Auxin

Auxin associated with phototropism - early experiments demonstrate tip as receptor.

Demonstration of transported chemical

Auxin
Discovered as substance associated with phototropic response. Occurs in very low concentrations.
Isolated from human urine, (40mg 33 gals-1) In coleoptiles (1g 20,000 tons-1)

Differential response depending on dose.

Loosening of cell wall

Polar transport of Auxin

Additional responses to auxin


abscission - loss of leaves flower initiation sex determination fruit development

Control of abscission by auxin

Gibberellin

Discovered in association with Foolish disease of rice (Gibberella fujikuroi)

uninfected

infected

Effects of Gibberellins
General cell elongation. Breaking of dormancy. Promotion of flowering. Transport is non-polar, bidirectional producing general responses.

Cytokinins

Function of cytokinins
Promotes cell division. Morphogenesis. Lateral bud development. Delay of senescence. Stomatal opening. Rapid transport in xylem stream.

Abscisic acid

Functions of abscisic acid


General growth inhibitor. Causes stomatal closure. Readily translocated. Produced in response to stress.

Ethylene

H H \ / C = C / \ H H

Functions of ethylene
Gaseous in form. Rapid diffusion. Affects adjacent individuals. Fruit ripening. Senescence and abscission. Interference with auxin transport. Initiation of stem elongation and bud development.

Action and Interaction of Hormones


Constitutive enzymes - always present but level of hormone can affect level. Adaptive enzymes - formed or activated as a result of the presence of a hormone.

Signal-transduction pathways in plants

Interaction of cytokinin and auxin in tobacco callus tissue

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