Phytohormones

HORT 3000
Phytohormones

Naturally occurring organic (C-H-O based) substance that influences physiological

processes

Chemical messenger within the plant

Provides communication between different areas within the plant

Site of action is often different from site of synthesis

Six main types in plant

Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic Acid, Ethylene, Brassinosteriods

Auxin

Indole-3-acetic acid

First hormone to be discovered

Ubiquitous throughout the plant

Synthesized in embryos and shoots

Concentration varies highest in actively growing regions

Stimulates cell elongation

Auxin Polar Transport

Preferential movement in one direction

Predominately basipetal auxin movement in the shoot auxin moves from morphological
apex towards morphological base
Auxin moves from shoot apex down stem
Path of transport not totally clear travels in cells near vascular tissue

Basipetal and acropetal movement occur in roots

Basipetal auxin moves away from root tip via epidermal and cortical cells
Acropetal auxin moves towards root tip through stele

Auxin Polar Transport

Auxin Polar Transport
Auxin Acid Growth Hypothesis

Auxin-activated proton pump in cell membrane acidifies cell wall space

Pumps in protons from cytosol
Phytohormones, 1

Lower pH activates wall-loosening enzymes, extensins

Extensins loosen glycan bonds between microfibrils within cell wall

Turgor then causes micofibrils to be displaced, allowing elongation

Auxin Acid Growth Hypothesis

Auxin Vascular Differentiation

IAA-induced xylem regeneration

Polar auxin transport visible in accumulation above wound

Xylem regeneration occurs first above wound

Auxin Root Initiation

Auxin Axillary Bud Break
Auxin Tropic Curvature and Growth
Gibberellins

Gibberellic Acid, GA3

Synthesized in seeds, fruits, and young leaves

Modified in roots

Stem elongation

Flower and fruit development

Gibberellins Internode Elongation

Gibberellins Seed Germination

Helps to mobilize endosperm reserves

Gibberellins Flower and Fruit Development

Cytokinins

Kinetin

Benzyladenine

Zeatin

Synthesized in root

Important for cell division

Cytokinesis division of cytoplasm during mitosis

Used in tissue culture to encourage shoot proliferation

(auxin used to promote root proliferation)

Cytokinin Witchs Broom

Phytohormones, 2

Fungal infection causes overproduction of cytokinin and uncontrolled axillary bud

development

Abscisic Acid

ABA

Synthesized mostly in mature leaves

Not actually directly involved in abscission

Important signal for plant water relations, stomatal activity

Active during seed germination

Ethylene

H2C=CH2 (gas)

Synthesized
In all plant organs
In tissues experiencing stress
In tissues experiencing senescence and/or ripening

MCP = ethylene blocker used to preserve cut flowers

Methylcyclopropene

Phytohormones
Brassinosteriods

Brassinolide is active component

Newly discovered group of hormones

Stimulate shoot growth and inhibit root growth

Involved in stem elongation and leaf morphogenesis

Play a role in vascular differentiation

Phytohormones
HORT 3000

Phytohormones, 3