Identify the correct pairing between a plant hormone and its primary physiological function:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Answer: Ethylene - Ripening of fruits
Explanation: Plant hormones regulate growth, development, and physiological processes. The correct pairing is ethylene → fruit ripening, because the Ethylene is responsible for accelerating the ripening of fruits and also promotes processes like senescence and abscission.
Ethylene is a gaseous hormone that speeds up fruit ripening (e.g., bananas, mangoes).
It also helps in leaf fall and flower fading.
Additional Key Points:
Ethylene is the only known gaseous plant hormone.
It is widely used commercially to ripen fruits artificially.
Auxin and cytokinin together regulate plant growth balance.
Gibberellins are important in breaking seed dormancy and stem elongation.
Potential Exam-Oriented Questions & Answers:
Question: Which hormone delays leaf senescence?
Answer: Cytokinin
Question: What is the function of auxin?
Answer: Promotes cell elongation and growth