The mechanism by which the patterned orientation of plants and flowers occurs is a topic of

debate in biology. An example of this phenomenon is the sprouting of leaves from a plant's
stem in regular and patterned intervals. Leaves sprout from specialized regions of the stem
called the shoot apical meristems (SAM). Cell division occurs with increased frequency in the
shoot apical meristem region, and the rapid formation of new cells at the meristem results
in the growth of plant organs. The following two scientists present their ideas on how plants
generate such highly organized and patterned structures.
Scientist 1 Plant patterning is dependent entirely on a plant hormone called auxin.
Auxin, which promotes cell elongation, is present at the SAM, and many scientists
believe that it signals cells at the tip to begin producing leaves. The existence of higher
levels of auxin in the SAM than in other stem locations supports the relationship between
auxin and leaf generation. Furthermore, cells near the SAM take in any nearby auxin and
redirect it back to the cells of the SAM. This activity would further promote organ
formation in that region.
Scientist 2 The problem with the auxin hypothesis is that auxin signals like a traffic
sign: it tells the cells when to grow and create leaves, but it doesn't tell them where to
grow. With such highly structured orientations, direction is a critical component of
growth. Instead of auxin driving the pattern of orientation alone, mechanical stress to
the stem causes the patterned growth. Intentionally stressing the SAM results in leaves
that take on a highly stress-dependent pattern. This result explains the patterns in
nature that appear in waves or periods, where the stress a plant experiences changes
with time, as does the patterning. It is the combination of mechanical stress and auxin
signaling that facilitates the patterned structures that plants exhibit. Adapted from
(Source)

1. 1 point

Which statement would both scientists agree on?

(A) Mechanical stress is important for plant patterning.

(B) Auxin is an important regulator of stem and leaf growth.
(C) The SAM is stressed during leaf formation.
(D) The orientation of leaves affects plant survival.

2. 1 point
scientist?

Which of the following pieces of evidence would not be supported by either

(A) The growth of leaves and flowers is caused by auxin.

(B) Stress plays an important role in patterning.
(C) The SAM plays an important role in patterning.
(D) Plant patterning is determined when a seed germinates and is impossible to alter.

3. 1 point

According to Scientist 2, why do plant patterns come in waves or periods?

(A) Auxin is produced in waves.

(B) It takes time for auxin to be redirected back to the SAM.
(C) Stress varies, and the structures that follow the pattern of the stress also vary.
(D) PIN1 is clustered in waves.

4. 1 point

Which statement, if accurate, supports the claims made by Scientist 2?

(A) A plant experiences stress.

(B) Stress causes raccoons to exhibit a patterned face.
(C) Auxin causes the plant to grow.
(D) Injured plants produce a growth pattern that is dependent on the size of the injury.

5. 1 point Scientists discovered that a special auxin transport protein, called PIN1, is
found in cells adjacent to the SAM when the cells of the SAM contain high levels of auxin.
Which of the following reasons would Scientist 2 give to explain why auxin is unlikely to
be responsible for this patterning?
(A) Auxin is not present in the SAM.
(B) Auxin is not involved in PIN1 clustering.
(C) Auxin is not directional and cannot cause PIN1 to cluster.
(D) Auxin is not involved in stress-induced patterning