Plant Responses

Question 1

What are gibberellins?

Answer 1

Plant growth regulators that stimulate seed germination and regulate plant height via stem growth

Question 2

How are gibberelllins involved in stem growth?

Answer 2

They cause elongation of plant stems during growth by increasing the internodes (regions between the leaves on a stem)

Question 3

What is the dormancy?

Answer 3

Period of inactivity that allows the seed to withstand various adverse environmental conditions

Question 4

What is the role of gibberellins in seed germination?

Answer 4

They end the dormant state by initiating the germination process

Question 5

Process of germination:

Answer 5

1. Water enters teh seed
2. This absorption of water causes embryo to synthesis gibberellins
3. In response, amylase and maltose enzymes are synthesised
4. The amylase enzymes hydrogen the starch stored in endosperm into maltose
5. This can then be broken down into glucose which provides the embryo with sugars essential for growth and energy