Nucleic Acids in Plants

By Group 6
What are Nucleic Acids in Plants?

 NucleicAcids in Plants are known as Plant Growth

Regulators (PGRs) or phytohormones
 They are hormonal chemicals that regulate plant growth
 Signal molecules that are produced in low concentration
 Planthormones control all aspects of plant growth and
development, from regulation of organ size, pathogen
defense, stress tolerance and reproductive
development.
Characteristics

 Plant hormones are chemicals produced in small

amounts that influence the growth, development,
and differentiation of plant cells and tissues
 Unlike animals, where hormones are made in specific
glands, all plant cells synthesize hormones
 Hormones are moved around plant tissues via xylem
and phloem whilst localized movement occurs via
cytoplasmic streaming and diffusion
Characteristics

 The production of hormones occurs very often at sites

of active growth within the meristems, before cells
have fully differentiated
 Production and synthesis depends on the specific
hormone
 Most are synthesized from proteins or intermediates
of protein synthesis
 E.g. – Auxin being derived from tryptophan
Regulation of Hormones

 Plants use different pathways to regulate internal

hormone quantities and moderate their effects
 They can store them in cells, inactivate them, or
repurpose hormones by conjugating them with
carbohydrates, amino acids, or peptides
 Plants can also break down hormones chemically,
effectively destroying them
 Movement of hormones can also dilute the hormone
concentration
Classes of Plant Hormones

 There are five main groups of plant-growth-regulating

compounds: gibberellin (GA), auxin,
cytokinins, ethylene, and abscisic acid (ABA)
 They are unique in their chemical composition and
physiological effects
 Other hormones include jasmonates, salicylic acid,
brassinosteroids, and strigolactones
Classes of Plant Hormones
Gibberellin (GA)

 Gibberellins are synthesized via the terpenoid

pathway
 Gibberellins stimulate cell division and elongation,
break seed dormancy, and speed of germination
 Seeds that are difficult to germinate can be soaked in
GA solution
Auxin
 Auxin is derived from tryptophan

 Auxin influence cell enlargement, bud formation, and root

initiation.
 Auxinsinhibit the growth of buds lower down the stems in a
phenomenon known as apical dominance, and also to
promote lateral and adventitious root development and
growth.
Cytokinins

 Roots are considered as the major source of Cytokinin

synthesis via the IPT gene
 Cytokinins influence cell division and shoot formation
 Evidence suggests that cytokinins delay the
interactions with pathogens, showing signs that they
could induce resistance toward these pathogenic
bacteria
 Cytokinins also interact with auxin in the production
of other hormones
Ethylene

 A gaseous compound formed through the breakdown

of methionine
 It induces ripening, causes leaves to sag and abscise
or drop.
 Plants often increase ethylene production in response
to stress, such as a physical obstacle in the way of
the plant. This causes the cells to stop elongating and
for the stem to widen
 Ethylene is used commercially to ripen fruit
Abscisic Acid (ABA)

 Abscisic acid pathway is complex and similar to the

terpenoid pathway of gibberellins
 ABA is a general plant-growth inhibitor
 It induces dormancy and prevents seeds from
germinating; causes abscission of leaves, fruits, and
flowers; and causes stomata to close
Use in Agriculture

 Auxin is often used in cutting and grafting of plants

 Seed dormancy can be manipulated using the ABA:GA
ratio. To promote seed growth, higher levels of GA
are required; and for storage or dormancy, higher
levels of ABA are needed
 Ethylene is commercially used to ripen fruits
Use in Medicine

 Salicylic acid was first derived from willow bark. It is

used as a painkiller and is the main ingredient in the
drug aspirin
 Salicylic acid is also used in topical treatments of
acne, warts and psoriasis
 Jasmonic acid can induce death in lymphoblastic
leukemia cells, but research is still being done on its
effect on healthy cells
Questions?
Group 6 Members
Name Reg No. Programme
MARTIN NONGERA R219466H HIMB
DEVINA NYAKONDA R219637R HIMB
TINASHE NYAMUROVA R219631X HIMB
OWEN NYONI R219465W HIMB
MUKHTAR OSMAN R2110371 HIMB
ELLAH RUFU R219459F HIMB
MAUREEN SAHANGA R219461G HIMB
RUMBIDZAI TAKAWIRA R2110373 HIMB
TANYARADZWA TENESI R219471N HIMB
NOKUTHULA TWALA R219468U HIMB
LOVENESS CHIKWAIKWAI R2111330 HIMB
CRAIG CHINDEGE R219463U HIMB
ROBINA CHIPUNZA R2110539 HIMB
STACY DOMBODZVUKU R219018K HIMB
TINOTENDA DINURA R213833G HIMB