How does chemical coordination occur in plants

Animals have a nervous system for controlling and coordinating the activities of the body. But plants have neither a nervous system nor muscles. Plants respond to stimuli by showing movements. The growth, development, and responses to the environment in plants is controlled and coordinated by a special class of chemical substances known as hormones. These hormones are produced in one part of the plant body and are translocated to other needy parts. For example, a hormone produced in roots is translocated to other parts when required. The five major types of phytohormone are auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene. These phytohormones are either growth promoters (such as auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, and ethylene) or growth inhibitors such as abscisic acid.

All living beings respond and react to the changes that occur in the environment. These responses are mainly reflected in the movements of their body parts. We have often seen humans react against various stimuli such as hot, cold, pain, foul & pleasant smells, different tastes, etc. Like humans, have you ever observed any reaction or response in plants against any action or stimulus? Yes, plants do respond to environmental changes. However, coordination in plants is not as elaborated as in humans. They do not have developed nervous systems or thinking power to respond to the stimulus in the same manner as animals and humans. Sunflower is named so because it bends towards the sunlight that we have often seen. It is a type of coordination in plants where the sunlight is a stimulus. Likewise, there are many more examples that you might have not been being familiar with. Let’s read the article to know the secret behind the coordination in plants that reflect in their movements. What is Coordination in Plants? The responses to external stimuli or environmental changes that are produced by the working of various organs in a systematic and controlled manner are known as coordination. Plants lack a nervous system. They use a chemical system for coordination that comprises different types of hormones. The chemical coordination within the plant body brings about growth and movements in plants and plant parts. Phytohormones Plant hormones are called phytohormones. These are the chem...

Chemical coordination occurs in plants with the help of phytohormones or plant hormones secreted by plants. Auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin, abscisic acid are plant hormones.These hormones regulate the growth and development of the plants. They also regulates various metabolic activities in the plants. These hormones respond to the external stimuli like light, temperature, etc. For example, auxin is responsible for the growth of the plants and cytokinin is responsible for the cell division. Similarly, gibberellin is responsible for stem elongation, flowering, fruit ripening. Abscisic acid is responsible for the dormancy.

• Plant hormones bring about chemical coordination in plants. They are synthesized away from the site of their action and then are diffused there. • Different plants hormones are responsible for growth, development and tropic responses. For example, auxin, cytokinins and gibberellins are growth hormones, ethylene is fruit ripening hormone while abscisic acid is growth inhibitory hormone.