Genetic Control of Flowers

A variety of genes control flower development, which

involves sexual maturation and growth of reproductive
organs as shown by the ABC model.
Flower development is the process by which angiosperms produce a pattern of
gene expression in meristems that leads to the appearance of a flower. A
flower (also referred to as a bloom or blossom) is the reproductive structure
found in flowering plants . There are three physiological developments that
must occur in order for reproduction to take place

1. the plant must pass from sexual immaturity into a sexually mature state

2. the apical meristem must transform from a vegetative meristem into a floral

meristem or inflorescence

3. the flowers individual organs must grow (modeled using the ABC model)

4. Flower Development
5. A flower develops on a modified shoot or axis from a determinate apical

meristem (determinate meaning the axis grows to a set size). The transition

to flowering is one of the major phase changes that a plant makes during its

life cycle. The transition must take place at a time that is favorable

for fertilization and the formation of seeds, hence ensuring maximal

reproductive success. In order to flower at an appropriate time, a plant can

interpret important endogenous and environmental cues such as changes

in levels of plant hormones and seasonable temperature

 and photoperiod changes. Many perennialand most biennial plants require

vernalization to flower.

6. Genetic Control of Flower Development

7. When plants recognize an opportunity to flower, signals are transmitted

through florigen, which involves a variety of genes, including CONSTANS,

FLOWERING LOCUS C and FLOWERING LOCUS T. Florigen is produced

in the leaves in reproductively favorable conditions and acts in buds and

growing tips to induce a number of different physiological and

morphological changes.

8. From a genetic perspective, two phenotypic changes that control vegetative

and floral growth are programmed in the plant. The first genetic change

involves the switch from the vegetative to the floral state. If this genetic

change is not functioning properly, then flowering will not occur. The

second genetic event follows the commitment of the plant to form flowers.

The sequential development of plant organs suggests that a genetic

mechanism exists in which a series of genes are sequentially turned on and

off. This switching is necessary for eachwhorl to obtain its final unique

identity.

9. ABC Model of Flower Development

10.In the simple ABC model of floral development, three gene activities

(termed A, B, and C-functions) interact to determine the developmental

 identities of the organ primordia (singular: primordium) within the floral

meristem. The ABC model of flower development was first developed to

describe the collection of genetic mechanisms that establish floral organ

identity in the Rosids and the Asterids; both species have

four verticils (sepals, petals, stamens and carpels), which are defined by the

differential expression of a number of homeotic genes present in each

verticil.

11. In the first floral whorl only A-genes are expressed, leading to the

formation of sepals. In the second whorl both A- and B-genes are

expressed, leading to the formation of petals. In the third whorl, B and C

genes interact to form stamens and in the center of the flower C-genes

alone give rise to carpels. For example, when there is a loss of B-gene

function, mutant flowers are produced with sepals in the first whorl as

usual, but also in the second whorl instead of the normal petal formation.

In the third whorl the lack of B function but presence of C-function mimics

the fourth whorl, leading to the formation of carpels also in the third whorl

Most genes central in this model belong to the MADS-box genes and

are transcription factors that regulate the expression of the genes specific for

each floral organ

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