The shoot apical meristem of a growing seedling is removed a

The shoot apical meristem of a growing seedling is removed and is exposed to a light source applied to the right-hand side of the plant. How will the growing seedling respond?

Select one:

a. The plant will grow toward the light

b. The plant will stop growing.

c. The plant will grow vertically (straight up).

d. The plant will grow at an increased rate because of the accelerated release of auxins.

e. The plant will grow away from the light.

Solution

Answer : Option a.

Auxin is synthesized in apical meristems of shoots. It causes young stems to bend toward light when it migrates toward the darker side, where it makes young cell walls more plastic and thereby promotes cell elongation. By interacting with other hormones, auxin can promote an increase in girth and is involved in growth responses to gravity and fruit ripening