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I/GCSE Biology - Using plant hormones

Using plant hormones

July 6, 2021

Selective weed killers

In I/GCSE Biology, using plant hormones is important! 👍

You should know:

Two ways to kills weeds

  1. Pull out each weed by hand
  2. Spray lawn with selective weed killers
Most common weed killer – 2,4-D
  • 2,4-D ➡️ similar structure to auxins, has greater effect
  • Absorbed by broad-leaved plants – accumulates in stem + root tips ➡️ causes uncontrolled growth
  • Plant dies, 2,4-D not absorbed by narrow-leaved plants e.g. grass

Agent Orange

Do you remember what agent orange is in I/GCSE Biology?

  • Caused leaves to fall off in jungle
  • Significant increase of children born with birth defects
  • Also causes diseases

Rooting powders

  • Cutting used to produce large numbers of identical plants
  • Part of plant is cut off and stem is dipped in rooting powder
  • End of stem then placed in compost
  • Roots develop from cut stem
  • Rooting powders contain auxins ➡️ stimulate the stem cells to develop into roots

Ripening fruit

  • Gas ethane (ethylene) = plant hormone
  • Produced by fruits as they ripen
  • Stimulate reactions = convert starch into sugar

References:

  1. "weed killer". Image form the internet.
  2. "agent orange". Image form the internet.
  3. "Rooting powders". Image form the internet.
  4. "Plant Hormones Tissues Tropisms Agricultural Botany Biology 20", https://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h/279a370cc367465a13bb2d45fe48fd86/image-8.jpg

And we're done with this topic! Well Done!

Drafted by Alyssa (Biology)