What is the Difference Between Auxin Gibberellin and Cytokinin?

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Auxin, gibberellin, and cytokinin are plant hormones that play crucial roles in plant growth and development. Here are the differences between them:

Auxin:

  • Primary role: Cell elongation.
  • Structure: Single or double unsaturated structure with a side chain.
  • Found in higher plants.
  • Promotes stem elongation and is involved in apical dominance.

Gibberellin:

  • Primary role: Stem elongation, seed germination, flowering, enzyme induction, etc..
  • Structure: Saturated tetracyclic gibbane structure without a side chain.
  • Found in both higher plants and fungi.
  • Play a major role in seed germination and breaking seed and bud dormancy.

Cytokinin:

  • Primary role: Cell division and cell differentiation.
  • Structure: Adenine derivatives with a side chain at N6 position.
  • Synthesized in the roots and travels to all plant organs.
  • Examples: Kinetin, zeatin, dihydrozeatin.

In summary, auxin is mainly responsible for cell elongation, gibberellin plays a role in stem elongation, seed germination, and other growth-related processes, while cytokinin is responsible for cell division and cell differentiation.

Comparative Table: Auxin Gibberellin vs Cytokinin

Auxin, gibberellin, and cytokinin are three major groups of plant hormones that play crucial roles in plant growth and development. Here is a comparison table highlighting their differences:

Hormone Structure General Responses Application
Auxin (indoleacetic acid; IAA) Indole Butyric Acid (IBA); Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA); 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) Adventitious rooting, tropisms, apical dominance Adventitious rooting of shoot cuttings
Gibberellin (gibberellic acid; GA) - Shoot growth, seed germination -
Cytokinin (zeatin) Benzyladenine (BA, BAP, benzylaminopurine) Cell division, tissue differentiation, flowering, fruiting, prevention of leaf aging -

Auxins are involved in various aspects of plant growth, including cell elongation, apical dominance, root initiation, and fruit development. Gibberellins promote shoot growth and seed germination. Cytokinins induce cell division and differentiation, boost protein and enzyme activity in tissues, and promote RNA production. They also help in tissue repair and delay senescence or the natural aging process in plants.