Biological Clocks,
Circadian
Rhythms, and
Plant Growth
Regulators
HASSAN RAZA
BIOLOGY
Introduction to Biological
Clocks
• Definition: Biological clocks are internal mechanisms that
control cycles of behavior and physiology.
• Examples of Biorhythms: Circadian rhythms (daily cycles) and
circannual rhythms (yearly cycles).
• Significance: Help organisms predict environmental changes
and adapt accordingly.
Circadian and Circannual
Rhythms
• Circadian Rhythms:
• Occur approximately every 24 hours, hence “circadian” (circa =
about, dies = day).
• Also known as diurnal rhythms.
• Circannual Rhythms:
• Annual cycles, approximately 365 days.
• Important for seasonal changes and behaviors.
Mechanisms of Biorhythms
1. External Triggers: Respond to environmental cues (exogenous
stimuli).
2. Internal Rhythm: Endogenous processes synchronize with
external cycles (e.g., 24-hour light-dark cycle).
3. Combined Influence: Internal and external rhythms can work
together to enhance adaptation.
Role of Genes and
Environment
• Genetic Influence: Basic rhythm is genetically coded.
• Environmental Influence: External factors like light and
temperature fine-tune these rhythms.
• Example: Fruit fly Drosophila retains its 24-hour rhythm even in
constant conditions.
Introduction to Plant Growth
Regulators
• Definition: Substances produced by plants that regulate growth
and response to stimuli.
• Categories of Regulators:
• Auxins
• Gibberellins
• Cytokinin's
• Abscisic Acid (ABA)
• Ethene (Ethylene)
Auxins
• Primary Role: Promotes cell enlargement, root growth, bud
initiation, and fruit growth.
• Key Functions:
• Stem Growth: Cell enlargement and division in the cambium.
• Root Growth: Low concentration promotes; high concentration
inhibits.
• Commercial Use: Synthetic auxins like NAA and 2,4-D are used to
enhance fruit setting and weed control.
Gibberellins
• Primary Role: Promote cell enlargement, bud initiation, seed
germination.
• Key Functions:
• Bolting: Encourages stem elongation in some plants.
• Bud/Seed Dormancy: Breaks dormancy, aiding germination.
• Commercial Use: GA is used to grow seedless fruits and increase
fruit size, improve storage life of fruits.
Cytokinins
• Primary Role: Stimulate cell division, lateral root growth, and
delay leaf senescence.
• Key Functions:
• Stem Growth: Encourages cell division in apical meristem.
• Bud Growth: Promotes lateral bud growth and breaks dormancy.
• Commercial Use: Delays aging in leaf crops and keeps flowers
fresh.
Abscisic Acid (ABA)
• Primary Role: Stress response regulator; promotes dormancy
and leaf abscission.
• Key Functions:
• Growth Inhibition: Reduces growth during stress conditions like
drought.
• Seed Dormancy: Helps plants survive unfavorable conditions.
• Commercial Use: Applied to regulate fruit drop at harvest time.
Ethene (Ethylene)
• Primary Role: Involved in fruit ripening and stress response.
• Key Functions:
• Ripening: Accelerates fruit ripening (e.g., tomatoes).
• Flowering: Promotes flowering in certain plants, like pineapple.
• Commercial Use: Ethephon releases ethene to enhance rubber
latex flow and induce flowering.
Any
questions?
Thanks!
