The plant hormone responsible for phototropism is:
AAuxin
BGibberellin
CCytokinin
DAbscisic acid
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Auxin
### Understanding Phototropism
Phototropism is a plant growth response where the plant bends toward a light source. This phenomenon is primarily controlled by plant hormones called **Auxins**.
### Mechanism of Action
1. **Detection**: The tip of the plant stem (coleoptile) detects the direction of light.
2. **Redistribution**: When light strikes one side of the stem, auxins migrate toward the **shaded side**.
3. **Cell Elongation**: The high concentration of auxin on the shaded side stimulates cells to elongate more rapidly than the cells on the lighted side.
4. **Bending**: Because one side grows faster than the other, the stem physically curves toward the light source.
### Comparison with Other Hormones
- **Gibberellins**: Primarily involved in stem elongation, seed germination, and flowering.
- **Cytokinins**: Promote cell division (cytokinesis) and delay leaf senescence.
- **Abscisic acid (ABA)**: Acts as a growth inhibitor, promoting seed dormancy and stomatal closure during stress.
Therefore, the correct hormone responsible for phototropism is **Auxin**.
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