Biology Tutorials > Control of Growth & Development > Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid

Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid

Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid

Gibberellins are plant hormones that regulate a wide range of processes, such as flowering, growth (by stem elongation), seed germination, and fruit ripening.

The family of gibberellins have a similar effect to that of auxins; they promote cell division and elongation. The major difference is that gibberellins in no way inhibit growth.

Gibberellic Acid

Gibberellic Acid is an example of one of the gibberellin family. Regardless of genotype (tall or small plants), more gibberellin equals more lateral growth.

Gibberellins and Germination

Gibberellins are responsible for promoting growth in the embryo of a seed. It does this the following way

  • Gibberellin released by the embryo travels towards the aleurone layer, its target tissue situated in the endosperm region of the seed (alongside the embryo).
  • Gibberellin acts as the inducer, as its presence allows the enzyme induction of amylase, which can break down starch INTO a sugar to be used in the embryo.
  • Sugar is used in the plant to synthesize proteins and break out of dormancy.

Gibberellins initiate this process in Summer, when the external environment exhibits favorable conditions for plant growth.

The previous tutorial has investigated the auxin family hormones involved in plant growth. The next tutorial investigates the sites of this growth, the meristems.

 

Credit: DeBacco University

Quiz

Select true if the statement is correct and false if incorrect.

1. The gibberellin family, similar to auxin, promotes cell elongation.
2. Gibberellic acid is a plant hormone belonging to auxin family..
3. Gibberellins are the hormones responsible for promoting growth in the animal embryo.
4. The presence of gibberellin induces enzyme induction of amylase.
5. More gibberellin means more lateral growth.

Send Your Results (Optional)

Your Name
To Email
Biology Tutorials > Control of Growth & Development > Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid

You will also like...

DNA molecule
Genetic Control – On and Off Genes

Genes are the blueprint of our bodies, a blueprint that creates a variety of proteins essential to any organism's surviv..

Oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell
The Central Nervous System

Myelin sheath is essential for a faster conductivity of signals. Know more about this feature of some neurons in the Cen..

Physiological Homeostasis
Physiological Homeostasis

Homeostasis is essential to maintain conditions within the tolerable limits. Otherwise, the body will fail to function p..

Carbohydrates, fats and proteins - dietary sources
A Balanced Diet – Carbohydrates and Fat

Apart from vitamins, the human body also requires high energy sources such as carbohydrates and fats. If you want an ove..

river
Running Water Freshwater Communities

This tutorial introduces flowing water communities, which bring new and dithering factors into the equation for possible..

Types and Causes of Brain Damage
Types and Causes of Brain Damage

This tutorial describes the different types and causes of brain damage. Find out how genetics, physical injury, lack of ..