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Give an example of a physiological activity and how the hormone affects that activity in plants.
1. Auxins Apical dominance - Apical dominance in plants is regulated by auxin hormones, particularly indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), produced in the terminal bud. Auxins inhibit the growth of lateral buds along the stem, suppressing the development of side branches. This ensures upward growth of the main stem, directing resources for efficient energy utilization. Environmental factors, such as light conditions, can influence apical dominance. Manipulating auxin levels or removing the apical bud can be employed in horticulture to control plant architecture and promote branching for desired shapes or productivity. 2. Abscisic acid (ABA) Regulation of stomatal closure - Abscisic acid (ABA), a crucial plant hormone, regulates stomatal closure as a key physiological activity in response to environmental stress, particularly water scarcity. When plants experience drought conditions, ABA levels rise, initiating a signal cascade. ABA binds to receptors on guard cell membranes, triggering the efflux of potassium ions, reducing turgor pressure, and leading to stomatal closure. This response minimizes water loss through transpiration, aiding plants in water conservation during stress. 3. Gibberellins (GA) Elongation of the Internodes - The most significant impact of gibberellins on plant growth is the elongation of internodes, to the extent that they can overcome genetic dwarfism in certain plants like dwarf pea and dwarf maize. For example, light grown dwarf pea plants exhibit short internodes and expanded leaves. However, when treated with gibberellin, the internodes undergo substantial elongation, resembling tall plants.
In dwarf plants, this response is attributed to either the absence of the gene responsible for gibberellin production or higher concentrations of natural inhibitors. External application of gibberellin compensates for the deficiency of endogenous gibberellins or counteracts the effects of insufficient natural inhibitors. 4. Cytokinins (CK) Promotion of Cell Division in Shoot Meristems - Cytokinins enhance cell division in the shoot apical meristem, a region with actively dividing cells at the growing shoot tip. Elevated cytokinin levels stimulate meristematic cell division, fostering the emergence of new shoots and branches crucial for overall plant growth. This effect involves the interaction of cytokinins with the cell cycle machinery, specifically activating cyclin- dependent kinases (CDKs) that regulate cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase. The increased cell division leads to the development of more branches, leaves, and lateral shoots, contributing to the plant's architecture and size. Additionally, cytokinins play a role in preventing the aging (senescence) of plant tissues, ensuring sustained growth and vitality.
5. Ethylene (ET) Fruit Ripening - Ethylene, a gaseous plant hormone, is pivotal in initiating the ripening of fruits along with other hormonal and signaling factors. Initially, unripe fruits exhibit low ethylene levels, but as they mature, ethylene production increases, serving as a signal for ripening. Post-harvest, ethylene production continues, reducing fruit shelf-life and making it more susceptible to pathogens. Hence, it is crucial to monitor and manage ethylene levels to prevent over-ripening, ensuring fruits remain marketable and profitable both on the tree and during storage.
References
Cutler, S. R., Rodriguez, P. L., Finkelstein, R. R., & Abrams, S. R. (2010). Abscisic acid: emergence of a core signaling network. Annual Review of Plant Biology, 61, 651-679.
Davies, P. J. (Ed.). (2010). Plant Hormones: Biosynthesis, Signal Transduction, Action. Springer.
Hauser, F., & Waadt, R. (2005). The role of abscisic acid in stomatal regulation. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 8(5), 509-514.
Leyser, O. (2005). Auxin Signaling: A Marriage of Perception and Transcription. Current Biology, 15(10), R384–R387. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.05.047.
