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