Internal Factors that Affect Growth and Development of Plants



Affect Growth and Development of Plants

Factors Influencing Growth and Development of Plants 

Growth and development are interconnected processes. Both are influenced by internal as well as external factors (environmental factors). 

Internal Factors 

Internal factors include genetic (hereditary) factors and specific physiological processes of the individual. 

Genetic Factors 

Germination is started by water absorption (imbibition). Water functions to dissolve the food reserve in cotyledons and also induce the activity of hydrolytic enzymes. This activity is controlled by associated nesPonsible genes. 

The end of dormancy and the start of germination are determined by the ability of the plant to carry out metabolism. This plant ability is influenced by metabolic enzymes. Metabolic enzymes are proteins that function to control the rate of metabolism. Growth and development will be optimal if the rate of metabolism is optimal. A plant’s metabolic activities are controlled by genes present in the organism. 

Physiological Factor 

Physiologically, occurring processes are functional processes at a cellular level. Growth and development involves many hormones and vitamins. Hormones and vitamins have specific functions in each level of growth and development. The following are some hormones that influence growth and develoPment. 

Auxin 

Auxin acts as a stimulant for cell elongation during growth. Auxin is produced by coleoptile (shoot apical meristem). Auxin is inactivated when exposed to sunlight. This physiological condition results in faster growth of the part lacking exposure to sunlight. Therefore, the plant will bend towards the direction of sunlight (Auxin causes coleoptile to bend toward the direction of sunlight). Auxin distributed to different parts of the plant influences elongation, division, and differentiation of plant cells. Auxin produced on the shoot apical meristem can inhibit the growth of lateral shoots or axial buds. If we cut this apical shoot, lateral shoots will grow leaves. The whole event is termed apical dominance (Apical Dominance in Plant). 

Another function of auxin is to stimulate cambium to form xylem and phloem and the primary cell wall (the first cell wall formed in plant cells) and maintain its elasticity, prevent fruits and leaves from falling out, and help the process of parthenocarpy. Parthenocarpy is the production of fruit without fertilization of ovules. The fruit is therefore seedless. 

Important Concept 

Internal factors that affect growth and development of plants are genetic and physiological factors. 

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