FFA Floriculture Practice Test

Auxins and gibberellic acid are hormones in plants that promote growth through what process?

1. Cell division

2. Cell differentiation

3. Cell enlargement

4. Photosynthesis

The correct answer is: Cell enlargement

Auxins and gibberellic acid are crucial plant hormones primarily involved in the growth processes of plants. They promote growth mainly through cell enlargement, which is a fundamental mechanism for plants to increase in size. Cell enlargement, also known as cell expansion, occurs when water enters the cells, causing them to swell and stretch due to the turgor pressure within the cell walls. Auxins help facilitate this process by promoting the loosening of cell walls, allowing cells to expand. Gibberellic acid further enhances this growth by stimulating the production of enzymes that break down cell wall components, making it easier for cells to expand in size. This is essential not just for elongating stems and roots but also for overall growth and development. While cell division, differentiation, and photosynthesis are vital processes in plant development and function, the specific role of auxins and gibberellic acid in promoting growth is most accurately tied to the mechanism of cell enlargement.