Auxin – Definition & Meaning

Auxin is a crucial plant hormone that plays a significant role in the growth and development of plants. It is responsible for regulating various physiological processes, including cell elongation, root formation, and apical dominance. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of auxin.

Definitions

Auxin is a plant hormone that is responsible for regulating plant growth and development. It is a naturally occurring compound that is produced in the apical meristem of plants. The term “auxin” is derived from the Greek word “auxein,” which means “to grow.”

Origin

Auxin was first discovered by Charles Darwin in 1881, who observed that the tips of plant shoots could influence the direction of growth of the rest of the plant. Later, in 1926, Frits Went identified auxin as the hormone responsible for this phenomenon.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, auxin is “a class of plant hormones that promote the elongation of stems and roots and other responses.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “any of various plant hormones that promote growth and influence phototropism and gravitropism.”

Associations

Auxin is associated with various physiological processes in plants, including cell elongation, root formation, and apical dominance. It is also involved in phototropism, which is the growth of plants in response to light, and gravitropism, which is the growth of plants in response to gravity.

Synonyms

Some synonyms of auxin include plant growth hormone, phytohormone, and plant hormone.

Antonyms

There are no specific antonyms of auxin, as it is a unique plant hormone that has no opposite.

The same root words

The same root words as auxin include auxesis, auxetic, and auxotonic.

Example Sentences

1. The application of auxin to the cuttings helped them develop roots faster.
2. The plant’s apical meristem produces auxin, which regulates its growth and development.
3. The phototropic response of the plant is mediated by the auxin hormone.
4. The plant’s gravitropic response is also regulated by auxin.
5. The levels of auxin in the plant can be affected by various environmental factors, such as light and temperature.