Problem 124 - Objective Biology for NEET

Question

Auxins induce parthenocarpy in which plants? (a) Tomato (b) Pineapple (c) Apple (d) All of these

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(d) All of these

Step 1: Understand terminologies

The key tactical term in this exercise is 'parthenocarpy', a process that leads to the development of a fruit without fertilization. Additionally, 'Auxins' are plant hormones that play a crucial role in coordinating the growth and behavioral processes of plants. According to research, auxins are known to induce parthenocarpy in several plant species.

Step 2: Match the process with the plants

Auxins have been scientifically proven to induce parthenocarpy in various plants, including Tomato, Pineapple, and Apple among others. Therefore, this narrows down the answers to all the options provided.

Step 3: Select the Correct Option

Given that auxins induce parthenocarpy in the plants, all the options provided in the question are correct. Therefore the correct option would be (d) All of these.

Key Concepts

Auxins

Auxins are a group of crucial plant hormones that play a vital role in regulating plant growth and development. As one of the first discovered plant hormones, auxins are primarily known for their ability to promote cell elongation. They are produced in the growing tips, or apical meristems, of plants. From these regions, auxins are transported down the stem, influencing several growth processes.

Key functions of auxins include:

• Stimulating stem elongation and growth
• Controlling the differentiation of vascular tissues
• Root initiation and development
• Regulating gravitropism and phototropism

Auxins also influence fruit development, especially by inducing parthenocarpy, or the formation of fruit without fertilization. This implies that auxins are not only instrumental in the growth of plants but also in producing fruits in a controlled agricultural setting.

Plant hormones

Plant hormones, also known as phytohormones, are chemical messengers instrumental in regulating almost every aspect of plant life. These hormones, including auxins, serve several functions that can modify plant behavior according to internal and external stimuli.

There are several key plant hormones, including:

• Auxins - responsible for cell elongation and growth
• Gibberellins - promote stem and leaf growth
• Cytokinins - encourage cell division
• Ethylene - governs fruit ripening and leaf fall
• Abscisic Acid - facilitates response to environmental stress

Each of these hormones influences specific physiological processes within the plant, often working together or counterbalancing each other to ensure harmonious growth and development. Understanding plant hormones is essential in the field of agricultural science, where manipulating these hormones can lead to improved crop yields and quality.

Fruit development

Fruit development is a complex process that begins with pollination and fertilization, leading to seed and fruit formation. However, some fruits develop without fertilization, a process known as parthenocarpy. In the case of parthenocarpy, fruits form without seeds, which can be highly desirable in agriculture for certain crops like seedless tomatoes, cucumbers, and grapes.

Parthenocarpy can occur naturally but is often induced artificially through hormone treatments. Auxins, in particular, are effective in triggering parthenocarpic fruit development. This is especially valuable when conditions do not support pollination, ensuring that fruit production can continue reliably.

Overall, the ability to control fruit development is vital for optimizing food production, maintaining consistency in crop size, and improving consumer satisfaction with seedless varieties.

Agricultural science

Agricultural science focuses on the principles and practices used to increase food production and sustainability. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines aspects of biology, chemistry, ecology, and economics to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of farming systems.

One critical aspect of agricultural science is understanding plant physiology, particularly the role of hormones like auxins in plant growth and development. By leveraging knowledge about plant hormones, agricultural researchers and practitioners can:

• Enhance crop yields and quality through hormone regulation
• Develop methods for producing seedless fruits via parthenocarpy
• Improve growth conditions for plants, even in less than ideal environmental conditions

Through such advancements, agricultural science continually innovates to meet the demands of a growing population, offering solutions for sustainable food production and resource management.