Category: Study Materials

Category: Study Materials

  • Klinefelter Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

    What is Klinefelter Syndrome?

    Every living organism in the environment are suspected to many diseases. But there is a lot of difference between disease and a disorder. A disease is a kind of illness to due to any abnormality in the physiology of a body, which can be treated under medications.

    But disorder is a condition where it cannot be treated easily with vaccines and medications where as it needs a special diagnosis of genetic material and other vital tests depending upon the symptoms. Klinefelter’s syndrome is a one type of genetic disorder due to an abnormality in a chromosome.

    Reason of Klinefelter Syndrome

    This is one of the types of genetic disorder which occurs in males. It occurs when there is extra X chromosome than usual.

    We know that males have two sex chromosomes namely X and Y, the people who are suffering from this condition have an extra X chromosome along with it.

    This condition can cause the affected male inappropriate physical characteristics that does not suit them.

    Klinefelter’s syndrome is mostly found in one of 1000 males. Where the unwanted additional X chromosome results in the random error of formation of eggs or sperm in the affected individual.

    It usually results in error in the formation of sperm and it also results in some complications in development of egg which leads to many abnormalities.

    Klinefelter Syndrome - research tweet 1

    Usually, this type of abnormalities in the chromosome can be found with the help of karyotype, Karyotype is usually done to identify the shape and size of the chromosomes with the help of the banding techniques.

    With the help of this technique missing or abnormal or any additional chromosomes can be identified. Klinefelter’s syndrome is one of the types of disorder due to the presence of extra X chromosome in boys.

    Cause of Klinefelter Syndrome

    This condition is due to the presence of one extra X chromosome in males this occurs due to the splitting of genetic material unevenly during the formation of egg.

    Women those who are getting pregnant above the age of 35 can have high probabilities of having the child with this condition.

    Although it is said to be as genetic disorders this syndrome is not always carried between families.

    Klinefelter Syndrome Characteristic

    Klinefelter’s syndrome is one of the conditions which affects only male. The individual with this condition is affected with many intellectual activities.

    Mostly the affected ones are taller comparing with the other individuals of the same group. They are also found to be infertile.

    Anyhow there will be a similarity between boys and men in this syndrome, where as in some cases, the symptoms will be mild and cannot be diagnosed until puberty.

    So, these types of syndromes cannot be diagnosed mostly at early stages or through amniocentesis.

    The individual with this condition usually has smaller testes which also produces only smaller amount of testosterone.

    This condition is also refereed to as primary testicular insufficiency. Testosterone is one of the most important hormones in males; which instructs the body cells to direct the primary and secondary sexual developments in male and also the other developments during the time of puberty.

    If this is not diagnosed at the early stages it leads to shortage of testosterone which leads to delayed puberty, increase in breast size, decreased muscle tone, lack of body and facial hairs, reduced bone density.

    Mostly the affected males will be sterile due to this condition but due to treatments and other therapies using reproductive technologies they can be improved.

    Some of the affected males have difference in their structures of genitalia such as undescended testes which is called as cryptorchidism and the opening of urethra on the underside of penis and also the decrease in size of penis.

    Children’s affected with this condition usually have other problems such as difficulty in brain co ordination which leads to delays in developing intellectual skills, and also in the development of motor skills such as sitting, standing and walking and also, they delay in other activities like speaking and learning.

    But the individuals with this syndrome have better skills of language and understanding and they are usually good at vocabulary.

    Along with this they also have other troubles like anxiety, depression, and other behavioral problems like emotional immaturity and impulsivity. In some cases, they will also be hyperactive.

    Mostly half of percent of people with this syndrome have other metabolic disorders which includes the condition of type 2 diabetes, increased blood pressure, enlarged belly fat, high levels of lipids in the body such as triglycerides and cholesterols.

    In other sense, on comparing with men adults with this syndrome have risks of developing cancers, weaking of bones, and other autoimmune disorders.

    Does Klinefelter Syndrome Inheritary?

    Generally, Klinefelter’s syndrome is not inherited, Because the addition of x chromosomes usually forms at the time of reproduction if any one of the parents has affected egg or sperm.

    During the process of non-disjunction during cell division X chromosomes fails to separate normally among cells which results in extra copy of X chromosome and leads to this type of syndrome.

    Considering the two results i.e., the egg cell having an extra chromosome gets fertilized with the sperm with Y chromosome causes this condition and similarly when the sperm cell having both X and Y chromosome gets fertilized with egg cell having one X chromosome can also leads to this condition.

    Whereas another type of this which is known as mosaic Klinefelter’s syndrome which occurs due to a random cell division in the fetal development which leads to the normal copy of chromosomes in some of the cells and abnormal (XXY) in other cells.

    Symptoms of Klinefelter Syndrome

    The people with this condition usually have thin dispersed hairs, wide hips, enlarged breasts, small testes and smaller penis, reduced masculine features.

    Treatment Options for Klinefelter Syndrome

    There are various kind of treatments practiced for this kind of syndromes, however based on the signs and symptoms the treatment varies.

    The treatments are as follows

     Fertility treatment

     Psychological counselling

     Removing the excess breast tissues

     Hormone replacement therapies

     Supporting them with educational evaluation.

    Klinefelter Syndrome Citations

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  • Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP): Definition, Function, and Mechanism

    What is Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)?

    Adenosine triphosphate, otherwise called ATP, is a molecule that conveys energy inside cells.

    It is the primary energy source of the cell, and it is a finished result of the cycles of photophosphorylation (adding a phosphate gathering to a molecule utilizing energy from light), cell breath, and maturation.

    All living things use ATP. As well as being utilized as a fuel source, it is likewise utilized in signal transduction pathways for cell correspondence and is joined into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) during DNA combination.

    Structure of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

    This is an underlying graph of ATP. It is comprised of the molecule adenosine (which itself is comprised of adenine and a ribose sugar) and three phosphate gatherings.

    ATP - Adenosine triphosphate Structure - research tweet

    It is dissolvable in water and has a high energy content due to having two phosphoanhydride bonds interfacing the three phosphate affairs.

    Features of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

    ATP is the primary transporter of energy that is utilized for all cell exercises. At the point when ATP is hydrolyzed and changed over to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), energy is delivered.

    The expulsion of one phosphate bunch discharges 7.3 kilocalories per mole, or 30.6 kilojoules per mole, under standard conditions.

    This energy controls all responses that occur inside the cell.

    ADP can likewise be changed over once more into ATP, so the energy is accessible for other cell responses.

    ATP is delivered through a few unique techniques. Photophosphorylation is a methodology express to plants and cyanobacteria. It is the formation of ATP from ADP utilizing energy from daylight and happens during photosynthesis.

    ATP is additionally shaped from the interaction of cell breath in the mitochondria of a cell. This can be through vigorous breath, which requires oxygen, or anaerobic breath, which doesn’t.

    High sway produces ATP (close by carbon dioxide and water) from glucose and oxygen.

    Anaerobic breath utilizes synthetic substances other than oxygen, and this cycle is basically utilized by archaea and microscopic organisms that live in anaerobic conditions.

    Aging is another method of delivering ATP that doesn’t need oxygen; it is not quite the same as anaerobic breath since it doesn’t utilize an electron transport chain.

    Yeast and microbes are examples of life forms that utilization aging to create ATP.

    Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and Signal Transduction

    ATP is a flagging molecule utilized for cell correspondence. Kinases, which are catalysts that phosphorylate particles, use ATP as a wellspring of phosphate gatherings.

    Kinases are significant for signal transduction, which is the way a physical or compound sign is sent from receptors outwardly of the phone to within the phone.

    At the point when the sign is inside the cell, the cell can respond appropriately.

    Cells might be offered signs to develop, utilize, separate into explicit kinds, or even pass on.

    Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and DNA Synthesis

    The nucleobase adenine is important for adenosine, an molecule that is framed from ATP and put straightforwardly into RNA.

    The other nucleobases in RNA, cytosine, guanine, and uracil, are correspondingly framed from CTP, GTP, and UTP.

    Adenine is likewise found in DNA, and its consolidation is practically the same, with the exception of ATP is changed over into the structure deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP) prior to turning out to be essential for a DNA strand.

    Where Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Manufactured?

    Numerous cycles are equipped for creating ATP in the body, contingent upon the current metabolic conditions. ATP creation can happen within the sight of oxygen from cells respiration, beta-oxidation, ketosis, lipid, and protein catabolism, just as under anaerobic conditions.

    i. Cell Respiration

    Cell breath is the way toward catabolizing glucose into acetyl-CoA, creating high-energy electron transporters that will be oxidized during oxidative phosphorylation, yielding ATP.

    During glycolysis, the initial step of cell breath, one particle of glucose separates into two pyruvate atoms. During this interaction, two ATP are delivered through substrate phosphorylation by the compounds PFK1 and pyruvate kinase.

    There is additionally the creation of two diminished NADH electron transporter particles.

    The pyruvate atoms are then oxidized by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, shaping an acetyl-CoA particle. The acetyl-CoA atom is then completely oxidized to yield carbon dioxide and decreased electron transporters in the citrus extract cycle.

    After finishing the citric acid cycle, the complete yield is two particles of carbon dioxide, one likeness ATP, three atoms of NADH, and one atom of FADH2.

    These high-energy electron transporters then, at that point move the electrons to the electron transport chain in which hydrogen particles (protons) are moved against their inclination into the inward layer space from the mitochondrial framework.

    ATP particles are then incorporated as protons dropping down the electrochemical inclination power ATP synthase.

    The amount of ATP delivered changes relying upon which electron transporter gave the protons. One NADH particle produces more than two ATP, though one FADH2 atom produces one and a half ATP molecules.

    ii. Beta-Oxidation

    Beta-oxidation is another method for ATP blend in organic entities. During beta-oxidation, unsaturated fat chains are forever abbreviated, yielding Acetyl-CoA atoms.

    All through each pattern of beta-oxidation, the unsaturated fat is diminished by two carbon lengths, creating one particle of acetyl-CoA, which can be oxidized in the citrus extract cycle, and one atom every one of NADH and FADH2, which move their high energy electron to the vehicle chain.

    iii. Ketosis

    Ketosis is a response that yields ATP through the catabolism of ketone bodies. During ketosis, ketone bodies go through catabolism to create energy, producing 22 ATP particles and two GTP atoms for every acetoacetate atom that gets oxidized in the mitochondria.

    iv. Anaerobic Respiration

    At the point when oxygen is scant or inaccessible during cell breath, cells can go through anaerobic breath.

    During anaerobic conditions, there is a development of NADH atoms because of the failure to oxidize NADH to NAD+, restricting the activities of GAPDH and glucose utilization.

    To keep up with homeostatic degrees of NADH, pyruvate is diminished to lactate, yielding the oxidation of one NADH atom in a cycle known as lactic maturation.

    In lactic aging, the two particles of NADH made in glycolysis are oxidized to keep up with the NAD+ repository. This response delivers just two atoms of ATP for every particle of glucose.

    Molecules Similar to Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

    Different molecules are identified with ATP and have comparable names, for example, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and cyclic AMP (cAMP).

    To stay away from disarray, know a few contrasts between these particles.

    i. Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)

    Adenosine diphosphate (ADP), which is at times otherwise called adenosine pyrophosphate (APP), particularly in science, has effectively been referenced in this article. It differs from ATP since it possesses two phosphate groups. ATP becomes ADP with the passing of a phosphate gathering, and this response discharges energy. ADP itself is framed from AMP. Cycling among ADP and ATP during cell breath gives cells the energy expected to do cell exercises.

    ii. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)

    Adenosine monophosphate (AMP), additionally called 5′- adenylic corrosive, has just a single phosphate bunch. This particle is found in RNA and contains adenine, which is essential for the hereditary code. It tends to be delivered alongside ATP from two ADP molecules, or by hydrolysis of ATP.

    It is additionally shaped when RNA is separated. It very well may be changed over into uric corrosive, which is a part of pee, and discharged through the bladder.

    iii. Cyclic Adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)

    Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is gotten from ATP and is another courier utilized for signal transduction and actuating certain protein kinases.

    It very well may be separated into AMP. cAMP pathways may assume a part in specific diseases like carcinoma. In microorganisms, it has a job in digestion.

    At the point when a bacterial cell isn’t delivering sufficient energy (from deficient glucose, for example), high cAMP levels happen, and this turns on qualities that utilization fuel sources other than glucose.

    Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Citations

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  • Plant Growth Hormone Abscisic Acid: Definition, Mechanism,...

    Growth Hormone: Abscisic Acid

    Growth and development of an organism depends upon the internal and external factors supporting the growth of organism.

    The external environmental cues are essential for the stimulation of growth and development for reproduction and survival efficiency of these environmental cues (i.e.) stimulus process the internal response of the organism.

    The response is manifested and cell functions corresponding to the response is recorded. Such stimulus and response are well coordinated in the plant body by the chemical messengers – the hormones.

    Hormones acts as a mediator for carrying and transferring information for the coordination of physiological, metabolic and chemical activity.

    For example: the growth of coleoptile of Phalaris canariensis towards the light is the coordinated movement for external stimulus light (i.e.) the phototropism is mediated by the hormone auxin. This was the initial discovery for the presence of phytohormones in plant system regulating the function of whole plant body.

    These chemical compounds enhance cell communication and integrate the multicellular organism to organized as a single unit.

    Further studies were undergoing for the deducing the mechanism and variety of hormones coordinating plant body.

    Between 1950 – 1960 a group of five hormones were identified to maintain the plant homeostasis. These hormones were combinedly termed as ” Classical Five” they are: AUXIN, CYTOKININ, ETHYLENE, GIBBERELLIN, ABSCISIC ACID.

    Along with classical five there are brassanosteroids and jasmonic acid. These set of hormones are termed as “Plant Growth Regulators” as they have an active role in regulating growth and development rather than a broad action spectrum.

    Hormones are sensitive, specific, low concentration action and are naturally occurring in plant species. These important characteristic makes it an ideal small molecule chemical messengers and regulators.

    The mode of action is receptor mediated and are transported to different regions by vascular tissues(i.e.) xylem and phloem. Hormones like ethylene are volatile, hence they are diffused throughout the plant body.

    Abscisic Acid Discovery

    Discovery of ABA took place between 1950 – 1960, scientists had a hunch that when a growth stimulating endogenous hormones are present in the plant cell, growth inhibiting hormones which causes the senescence or abscission of fruits must be governed by other hormones namely Abscisic Acid (ABA).

    ABA does not cause abscission they just inhibit growth.

    Functions of Abscisic Acid

    1. Inhibits growth and metabolism based on the developmental stage

    2. Growth and inhibition of root is variable when ABA is present in them

    3. Increases stress tolerance

    4. Seed development and maturation enables seed to withstand desiccation.

    Abscisic Acid Biosynthesis

    ABA are synthesised from Xanthophylls namely Violaxanthin and neoxanthin.

    Epoxidation or the presence of epoxy – carotenoids is necessary for the synthesis of ABA.

    The synthesis however initiates from IPP forming GGPP further leads to the formation of Zeaxanthin produces violaxanthin. Violaxanthin forms cis – neoxanthin followed by cis – xanthin produces ABA Aldehyde leads to ABA.

    Site of Synthesis: In mature leaves and stems and in developing fruits, seeds, etc.,

    Regulation of Abscisic Acid Levels

    1. Synthesis

    2. Conjugation

    3. Oxidation to inactive forms

    Abscisic Acid Citations

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  • Plant Growth Hormone Auxin: Definition, Mechanism, and...

    What is Auxin?

    Growth and development of an organism depends upon the internal and external factors supporting the growth of organism.

    The external environmental cues are essential for the stimulation of growth and development for reproduction and survival efficiency of these environmental cues (i.e.) stimulus process the internal response of the organism.

    The response is manifested and cell functions corresponding to the response is recorded. Such stimulus and response are well coordinated in the plant body by the chemical messengers – the hormones.

    Hormones acts as a mediator for carrying and transferring information for the coordination of physiological, metabolic and chemical activity.

    For example: the growth of coleoptile of Phalaris canariensis towards the light is the coordinated movement for external stimulus light (i.e.) the phototropism is mediated by the hormone auxin. This was the initial discovery for the presence of phytohormones in plant system regulating the function of whole plant body.

    These chemical compounds enhance cell communication and integrate the multicellular organism to organized as a single unit.

    Further studies were undergoing for the deducing the mechanism and variety of hormones coordinating plant body.

    Between 1950 – 1960 a group of five hormones were identified to maintain the plant homeostasis. These hormones were combinedly termed as ” Classical Five” they are: AUXIN, CYTOKININ, ETHYLENE, GIBBERELLIN, ABSCISIC ACID.

    Along with classical five there are brassanosteroids and jasmonic acid. These set of hormones are termed as “Plant Growth Regulators” as they have an active role in regulating growth and development rather than a broad action spectrum.

    Hormones are sensitive, specific, low concentration action and are naturally occurring in plant species. These important characteristic makes it an ideal small molecule chemical messengers and regulators.

    The mode of action is receptor mediated and are transported to different regions by vascular tissues(i.e.) xylem and phloem. Hormones like ethylene are volatile, hence they are diffused throughout the plant body.

    Auxin Discovery

    Auxins are naturally occurring Indole 3 – Acetic Acid that are abundant and can exist as non-indole component too.

    Auxin in Greek means – “to grow” or “to increase”.

    The main function of auxin is cell division.

    The Dutch biologist Frits Warmolt Went was the one who first described auxins and their role in plant growth.

    In the 1920s Kenneth V. Thimann (1904-1997) became the first to isolate one of these phytohormones and to determine its chemical structure as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA).

    Auxin Functions

    1. Growth from embryo to adult

    2. Cell division

    3. Stem elongation

    4. Apical dominance

    5. Fruit development

    6. Tropic responses

    Auxin Biosynthesis

    Conclusive research analysis or findings are not available for the biosynthesis of IAA because of minimal availability of hormones.

    Many studies have concluded that Tryptophan to be the precursor for IAA. The synthesis initiates from Erythrose – 4 phosphate of pentose phosphate pathway which on further degradation provides tryptophan.

    Tryptophan has many precursors from which many mechanisms are followed to produce Tryptophan.

    Tryptophan deaminates to Indole – 3 -pyruvic acid which on decarboxylation produce indole – 3 – acetaldehyde on oxidation yields Indole Acetic Acid.

    Though the synthesis and pathways deduced for tryptophan’s to be the precursor for IAA many bioassays and other techniques has proved that there are precursors other than Tryptophan from which IAA is synthesized.

    A conclusion can be laid that the IAA can be synthesized by tryptophan dependent process and Tryptophan Independent process.

    Site of biosynthesis: site of biosynthesis is dependent on endogenous precursor pools.

    The precursors are not well defined for IAA. But, based on the existing analysis it can be detected that tryptophan are rich in plastids and it also has a cytoplasmic pool in plant cell.

    Hence plastids and cytoplasm of plant cell can be assumed as site of biosynthesis.

    An affirmation regarding the site of synthesis of auxin can be provided considering the presence of Auxin in the Apical meristematic zones and are absent in mature cell.

    Regulation of Auxin Levels

    Hormones are regulated by variety of mechanisms. They are – Synthesis, Conjugation, Irreversible modification breakdown, transportation and compartmentation.

    Lesser the knowledge of biosynthesis of Auxin lesser the role of regulation identified for auxins. It is regulated by formation of conjugates and irreversible modification by breakdown of IAA.

    Conjugation: IAA forms conjugates with ester linkage to sugar or alcohol or to amino acids by amide linkage.

    Breakdown: IAA is decarboxylated with products: oxindole – 3 – methanol, 3 – methylene oxindole, 3 – methyl oxindole, indole – 3 aldehyde.

    Auxin Inhibitors

    IAA are inhibited by synthetic compounds. These compounds inhibit IAA and not the synthesis.

    These inhibiting molecules are called antiauxins. They inhibit by binding to the receptors of IAA.

    Auxin Citations

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  • Plant Growth Hormone Cytokinin: Definition, Mechanism, and...

    Plant Growth Hormone: Cytokinin

    Growth and development of an organism depends upon the internal and external factors supporting the growth of organism.

    The external environmental cues are essential for the stimulation of growth and development for reproduction and survival efficiency of these environmental cues (i.e.) stimulus process the internal response of the organism.

    The response is manifested and cell functions corresponding to the response is recorded. Such stimulus and response are well coordinated in the plant body by the chemical messengers – the hormones.

    Hormones acts as a mediator for carrying and transferring information for the coordination of physiological, metabolic and chemical activity.

    For example: the growth of coleoptile of Phalaris canariensis towards the light is the coordinated movement for external stimulus light (i.e.) the phototropism is mediated by the hormone auxin. This was the initial discovery for the presence of phytohormones in plant system regulating the function of whole plant body.

    These chemical compounds enhance cell communication and integrate the multicellular organism to organized as a single unit.

    Further studies were undergoing for the deducing the mechanism and variety of hormones coordinating plant body.

    Between 1950 – 1960 a group of five hormones were identified to maintain the plant homeostasis. These hormones were combinedly termed as ” Classical Five” they are: AUXIN, CYTOKININ, ETHYLENE, GIBBERELLIN, ABSCISIC ACID.

    Along with classical five there are brassanosteroids and jasmonic acid. These set of hormones are termed as “Plant Growth Regulators” as they have an active role in regulating growth and development rather than a broad action spectrum.

    Hormones are sensitive, specific, low concentration action and are naturally occurring in plant species. These important characteristic makes it an ideal small molecule chemical messengers and regulators.

    The mode of action is receptor mediated and are transported to different regions by vascular tissues(i.e.) xylem and phloem. Hormones like ethylene are volatile, hence they are diffused throughout the plant body.

    Cytokinin Discovery

    Discovery of cytokinin was first started from Haberlandt, German plant physiologist in 1913 that the phloem extracts are used to cause cell division in tubers.

    In 1921, from another experiment he found that cell division is promoted by soluble factor.

    In 1940’s and 1950’s the cell culture techniques were practiced, where the addition of auxins did not yield cell division. but on addition of autoclaved herring sperm initiated rapid cell division.

    The substance that promoted the cell division was named Kinetin. Later naturally occurring zeatin were discovered.

    Functions of Cytokinin

    1. Promotes cell division in callus and tissue

    2. Auxin and Cytokinin combines together to form a shoot bud vs root growth in tissue culture and stem cuttings

    3. Regulate Apical Dominance and lateral root initiation

    4. Retard senescence and chlorophyll degradation

    5. Present in major parts of plant

    Cytokinin Biosynthesis

    IPP is the key for cytokine synthesis.

    IPP isomerize with DMAPP.

    DMAPP condense with AMP give rise to iso – pentenyl adenosine mono phosphate (iPMP).

    iPMP is precursor for all naturally occurring Cytokinins.

    iPMP is hydroxylated at C4 of the side chain and forms zeatin riboside.

    In further steps, Ribose and phosphate are cleaved to yield Zeatin.

    Site of synthesis: primarily synthesized in meristematic tissues.

    Regulation of Cytokinin Levels

    1. It is regulated by conjugation of Cytokinins

    2. Irreversible inactivation

    Cytokinin Citations

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  • Plant Hormone Ethylene: Definition, Mechanism, and Function

    Ethylene: a Plant Growth Hormone

    Growth and development of an organism depends upon the internal and external factors supporting the growth of organism.

    The external environmental cues are essential for the stimulation of growth and development for reproduction and survival efficiency of these environmental cues (i.e.) stimulus process the internal response of the organism.

    The response is manifested and cell functions corresponding to the response is recorded. Such stimulus and response are well coordinated in the plant body by the chemical messengers – the hormones.

    Hormones acts as a mediator for carrying and transferring information for the coordination of physiological, metabolic and chemical activity.

    For example: the growth of coleoptile of Phalaris canariensis towards the light is the coordinated movement for external stimulus light (i.e.) the phototropism is mediated by the hormone auxin. This was the initial discovery for the presence of phytohormones in plant system regulating the function of whole plant body.

    These chemical compounds enhance cell communication and integrate the multicellular organism to organized as a single unit.

    Further studies were undergoing for the deducing the mechanism and variety of hormones coordinating plant body.

    Between 1950 – 1960 a group of five hormones were identified to maintain the plant homeostasis. These hormones were combinedly termed as ” Classical Five” they are: AUXIN, CYTOKININ, ETHYLENE, GIBBERELLIN, ABSCISIC ACID.

    Along with classical five there are brassanosteroids and jasmonic acid. These set of hormones are termed as “Plant Growth Regulators” as they have an active role in regulating growth and development rather than a broad action spectrum.

    Hormones are sensitive, specific, low concentration action and are naturally occurring in plant species. These important characteristic makes it an ideal small molecule chemical messengers and regulators.

    The mode of action is receptor mediated and are transported to different regions by vascular tissues(i.e.) xylem and phloem. Hormones like ethylene are volatile, hence they are diffused throughout the plant body.

    Ethylene Discovery

    Discovery of ethylene was done by Dimitry Neljubov. He was growing pea seedling in dark and the laboratory was gas lit, instead of elongating apical stem, the stem is shortened and had stunted growth. the gas lit lab had an ethylene leak which stunted the plant growth by inhibiting it.

    From the experiment, ethylene was identified to be reducing the growth rate of plants.

    In 1930 endogenous ethylene pools were identified in plant material especially in fruits that are ripened.

    Functions of Ethylene

    1. Fruit ripening

    2. Promotes senescence and abscission

    3. Root hair production

    4. Seed germination

    5. Sprout lateral buds

    Ethylene Biosynthesis

    Methionine is the precursor for ethylene on addition of Adenosine group from ATP forms Ado Met. Ado Met cleaves to produce Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid and Methylthioadenosine.

    ACC on enzyme catalyses yields ethylene. MTA is cleaved by adenosine and give rise to adenine and methylthioribose.

    MTR on further steps yields methionine for the cycle to proceed.

    Site of Synthesis: Ripening regions and in senescing leaves and other parts.

    Regulation of Ethylene Levels

    Ethylene synthesis is regulated by certain inhibitors

    The production of ethylene itself becomes an indicator to inhibit the production.

    Conjugation of ACC

    Oxidation of ethylene

    Inhibitors of Ethylene Synthesis

    Methyl cyclopropane, Dimethyl cyclopropane

    Ethylene Citations

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  • Gibberellin: Definition, Mechanism, and Function

    Growth Hormone: Gibberellin

    Growth and development of an organism depends upon the internal and external factors supporting the growth of organism.

    The external environmental cues are essential for the stimulation of growth and development for reproduction and survival efficiency of these environmental cues (i.e.) stimulus process the internal response of the organism.

    The response is manifested and cell functions corresponding to the response is recorded. Such stimulus and response are well coordinated in the plant body by the chemical messengers – the hormones.

    Hormones acts as a mediator for carrying and transferring information for the coordination of physiological, metabolic and chemical activity.

    For example: the growth of coleoptile of Phalaris canariensis towards the light is the coordinated movement for external stimulus light (i.e.) the phototropism is mediated by the hormone auxin. This was the initial discovery for the presence of phytohormones in plant system regulating the function of whole plant body.

    These chemical compounds enhance cell communication and integrate the multicellular organism to organized as a single unit.

    Further studies were undergoing for the deducing the mechanism and variety of hormones coordinating plant body.

    Between 1950 – 1960 a group of five hormones were identified to maintain the plant homeostasis. These hormones were combinedly termed as ” Classical Five” they are: AUXIN, CYTOKININ, ETHYLENE, GIBBERELLIN, ABSCISIC ACID.

    Along with classical five there are brassanosteroids and jasmonic acid. These set of hormones are termed as “Plant Growth Regulators” as they have an active role in regulating growth and development rather than a broad action spectrum.

    Hormones are sensitive, specific, low concentration action and are naturally occurring in plant species. These important characteristic makes it an ideal small molecule chemical messengers and regulators.

    The mode of action is receptor mediated and are transported to different regions by vascular tissues(i.e.) xylem and phloem. Hormones like ethylene are volatile, hence they are diffused throughout the plant body.

    Gibberellin Discovery

    Gibberellins were discovered from a Japanese crop disease “Bakanae” where the crops are subjected to elongated and weak growth caused by an ascomycetes Gibberella fujikuroi. the extracts from the fungi are collected and termed as Gibberellin by Yabuta and Hayashi.

    In 1950’s, Europe and American scientists started to standardise methods of isolating hormones. On learning about Gibberellin, its function to elongate the stem was related to higher plants which have taller stems and branches.

    When extracted the responding hormone scientists named it as GIBBERELLIN. Gibberellins are tetracycline diterpenoids prevalent in two forms. C20 – GA’s and C19 – GA’s out of this C19 GAs are found abundant in plant cell.

    The variety of GA’s are increasing, presently there are about 125 GAs identified.

    Functions of Gibberellins

    1. they promote elongation in stem and root. Their role in cell division is nil but they elongate both root and shoot

    2. During Seed germination, the stored starch, proteins and lipids are broken down by hydrolysis. GA’s promote hydrolysis during seed germination.

    3. Floral development

    4. Phloem tissue differentiation

    5. Cambial Reactivation

    Gibberellin Biosynthesis

    Out of all Plant Growth Regulators, GA’s are very well studies and biosynthesis are well known.

    Terpenes are secondary products of plants is defensive in function prevents plant from plant feeding Insects.

    Apart from the defence terpenes helps in photosynthesis, membrane stability and signalling Isoprene a C5 structure is the base for all terpenes.

    The isomerization of isopentenyl diphosphate yields dimethylallyl diphosphate following condensation yields C10 terpenes, C15 terpenes on further condensation gives C30 and C40 terpenes.

    IPP was synthesized by mevalonic acid dependent pathway or by Mevalonic Acid Independent pathway by Pyruvate and Glyceraldehyde.

    Synthesis takes place in 3 stages:

    Stage 1: Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate (GGPP) undergoes cyclation to form ent – kaurene followed by enzyme catalysation takes place in Plastids.

    Stage 2: Oxidations leads to the formation of ent – kaurenoic acid hydroxylated to form ent -7alpha kaurenoic acid later yields G12 Aldehyde

    Stage 3: GA12 – aldehyde yields GA12. 13 – Hydroxylation leads to the formation of GA53. Oxidations at C20 leads to lactone formation.

    Regulation of Gibberellin Levels

    Levels of GA are maintained by plant tissues

    Their inactivation is done by conjugation or catabolic breakdown

    Irreversible inactivation, transport to different parts of the plant, storage in compartments such as vacuoles.

    Gibberellin Citations

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  • Plant Growth Regulators: Definition, Types, and Mechanism

    What are Plant Growth Regulators?

    The plant growth which is irreversible, progressive and unlimited is mainly because of the fact that specialized meristem regions are capable of having an indefinite cell division when required and are regulated by internal factors.

    Genetic makeup and other physiological factors namely hormones are responsible for the condition of unlimited growth of the plant.

    Unique set of hormones are well developed which regulates the development of the plant in a way where it balances the growth of the plant and it retains it by a gradual process.

    Plant Growth Regulators (PGR) are hormones which acts on cells to promote and inhibit when stimulated.

    Plant Growth Regulators and hormones are similar terms, hormones generally cover a broad portion of compounds and Plant Growth Regulators’s are plant hormones or phytohormones which are specialized in cell division, elongation, growth of a plant body.

    Hormones are simple molecules having varied diverse composition.

    They are required in minimal amount for the growth of organism

    Plant Growth Regulators History

    The discovery was accidental and had many experimentations while concluding its actions.

    Charles Darwin and Francis Darwin observed the plant response to light and uneven growth towards light was observed. Between 1950 – 1960 a group of hormones were discovered and were named as “classical five” – Auxin, Gibberellin, Abscisic Acid, Ethylene and Cytokinin.

    Following this many natural and synthetic regulators were discovered later.

    Characteristics of Plant Growth Regulators

    • Hormones are pleiotropic in nature

    Example: Auxin helps in cell division, elongation, apical dominance etc.

    • Several hormones act for same responses leads to reduced response for a particular stimuli / action

    • Small concentration is required

    • Hormones are synthesized at different parts of the plant body and are transported to the site of action

    • Hormone action is time specific and precise

    • Hormones can be stimulator or inhibitor

    Types of Plant Growth Regulators

    Plant hormones are of 2 types:

    1. Growth promoters: promote cell division, cell elongation, pattern formation, seed and fruit development

    2. Responser: Biotic and Abiotic cues response and for stressors

    Plant Growth Regulators and Their Functions

    I. Auxin

    • Naturally occurs as Indole 3 Acetic Acid.

    • Synthesis: Leaf primordia and young leaves

    • Transportation: flows through phloem

    • Induces overall polarity of root shoot polarity

    • Basipetal transportation of hormones from tips of leaf to the leaf and stem and similarly, root tips → root – shoot differentiation zone.

    • Apical dominance reduces the Abscission in apical region

    • Auxin are signal mediated multiple level coordinated developmental processes

    II. Cytokinin

    • Promote cell division

    • Transported to shoot from root through Xylem

    • Activates lateral bud formation

    • Pro – vascular tissue formation

    • Positive geotropism is observed

    • Inhibitors of root development and control meristem activity

    III. Ethylene

    • Simple hydrocarbon which is volatile

    • Present in Seeds of all plants

    • Transportation by: Diffusion

    • Production sites: shoot apices, nodal region of stem

    • Ripening process in climacteric fruits

    • High production during stress

    • Ethylene promotes leaf abscission

    IV. Abscisic Acid

    • Present throughout the plan body

    • Aids in Abscission triggered by ethylene

    • Transportation: Xylem and Phloem. Abundant in Phloem

    • When water is in excess, ABA transports to stomata through xylem which induces stomatal closure

    • High production during seed protein synthesis and seed development

    • Break dormancy in seeds

    V. Gibberellins

    • Tetracyclic diterpenoids

    • In seed and fruit development

    • Growth of bud, Leaves, Internodes

    • Transportation via Phloem

    • Stem and leaf elongation also in root elongation and pollen tube growth

    • Secretes enzymes

    Plant Growth Regulators Citations

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  • Cell Differentiation: Definition, Process, and Stages

    What is Cell Differentiation and Development?

    Plant develops from a single celled zygote to multicellular, tissue level coordinated living being by the process of development and growth.

    The development, growth, distinction between different parts of a organisms is determined by the genetic material by a gradual process of cell division.

    Cell division is the primary process where continuous division leads to a pattern formation. The pattern formed is based on the symmetry of the division and the cytoplasmic distribution during cell division.

    When a zygote becomes an 8 – celled blastomere the cytoplasmic contents of one cell are evenly or unevenly distributed in all cells.

    Further, positioning of an embryo and environmental cues differentiates the cell further making each part of the cell a distinct and specified region.

    This overall mechanism is a gradual process involving commitment, determination and differentiation. 

    Cell Differentiation - research tweet

    The 3 processes are overlapping with negligible differences. Commitment is the determination of cell fate of a particular cell. Determination is similar to commitment where a part of the embryo gets determined to develop into a particular organ.

    Differentiation is the process where the determined part divides and transforms to a specialized region with definite structure and function.

    The differentiated parts get matured after the process. The main difference between plants and animal differentiation is unlimited growth in plants which demands an extra process called dedifferentiation and redifferentiation.

    Elongation of leaves will initiate matured cell to dedifferentiate to gain its embryological function of continuous proliferation to attain desirable growth after which the cells attain its specific role which is redifferentiation.

    Cell Division and Cell Differentiation

    Cell division is crucial in differentiation of group of cells according to its functional and structural specificity.

    The unequal distribution of proteins and other essential nutrients at each cell division to daughter cell determines the determination of each part and its differentiation.

    The distribution may be supported by the cytoskeleton which transports and orients the nutrients appropriately.

    Many scientists claim the asymmetrical cleavage leads to the formation of different parts. Formation of sieve cells, companion cells trichoblast are result of asymmetrical division of zygote.

    Few scientists believe that nearly symmetrical daughter cells have different composition of cytoplasm.

    The synthesis of protein and gene expression varies the mother cells composition from daughter cells.

    In both the division the accumulation of varying composition of cytoplasm is essential in cell differentiation.

    During such division the daughter cells does not inherit all the ability of mother cell. Each division restricts the differential ability of the cell making it more specific in nature.

    Mechanism of Differentiation

    Differentiation is by limiting gene transcription and expression of a cell which defines a cell’s function.

    Other functions apart from prescribed function are eliminated or not expressed. Each differentiated region has separate function and specialized materials present in them.

    For example: Mesophyll cells in leaf has 40 – 50 chlorophyll, 106 photoreceptors, chlorophyll a and b, enzyme essential for photosynthesis namely RUBISCO – Ribulose 1,5 – bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.

    Similarly in root cell, lacks chlorophyl, photoreceptors proteins of chlorophyll instead they carry starch storing plastids namely amyloplast. Both leaf and root contain same genomic DNA but expression of gene and other activities determines the part which the cell must occupy.

    The mechanisms are monitored by 3 types of gene namely:

    1. Housekeeping genes

    2. Cell or tissue specific genes

    3. Regulatory genes

    Housekeeping genes are common genes which are widely present at any part of the body doing respiratory, storage sugar uptake, protein synthesis etc.,

    Cell or tissue specific genes are present in all types of cells or tissue but gene expression is limited to a cell type or tissue.

    For example:

    a. Chlorophyll proteins, photoreceptors, RUBISCO enzyme are present only in the mesenchymal cells.

    b. Amyloplast are present only in roots for storage purpose in parenchymal cells

    c. PHENYLALANINEAMMONIA LYSE gene is present in seed. The enzyme encoding gene helps in lignin synthesis in xylem.

    Regulatory genes, synthesis proteins involved in signaling. These are encoded by multigene complexes known as Homeobox genes which are specified in determining the pattern for future differentiation.

    For example: Plant Homeobox genes determine the patterning of the future structure, determination of cell fate, defining boundaries between different tissues and organs.

    KNOX I genes are specified for patterning shoot meristem and differentiates them from lateral organs by not expressing them in lateral part of the plant.

    As a whole differential gene expression and inhibition combinedly forms differentiated parts of the tissue or plants.

    Changes During Cell Differentiation

    a. Endopolyploidy is observed in Angiosperm – chromosomes differentiate number of times without cell division is known as endopolyploidy.

    b. Cell size increases unequally

    c. Tissue expresses coordinate growth with intrusive cell growth where new cells are included in between the existing cells. The intrusive cell grows coordinated with existing cells. For example: root hair cell developing from root primordium.

    Dedifferentiation

    A matured cell changes its metabolic activity and modifies its gene function and attains its zygotic cell division abilities to divide and differentiate to new cells.

    Changes During Dedifferentiation

    a. Loss of stored food

    b. Thinning cell wall

    c. In cell culture, polar or amoeboid growth observed

    d. Ploidy level changes

    Changes During Re-differentiation

    Once matured cells after dedifferentiation attains new additional functions than their previous matured state.

    Cell Differentiation Citations

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  • Plant Development: Definition and Stages I Research...

    What is Plant Development?

    Growth and development of any organism is closely associated with cell division and nutrient uptake by the organism.

    The open form of growth produced by the meristem makes a plant have an unlimited growth and makes it unique mechanism for survival.

    The life history of an organism is depicted as the development of organism from its birth to death.

    The cumulative changes in the living system, physiological and metabolic activities, different phases of grow and reproduction are all an important aspect of development of an organism.

    The development initiates from the zygote and covers the entire life processes including structural maturity and functional maturity.

    The development is always about the pattern formation and combination of functions and is important as it ensures the survival of progeny and takes place in evolution of whole living organism.

    Plant Development Process

    The changes and modification taking place during the zygote differentiation corresponds with the developmental cues for the plant maturation and growth in the future.

    The basic plan for survival is well laid in the zygote as basic differentiation becomes well defined and acts as a key for body plan of the whole organism.

    The development is gradual and progressive takes place in a sequence, they are:

    Plant Development Steps

    1. The zygote, a highly organized precursor develops into embryo by embryogenesis

    2. The 2 basic body patterns are formed by the asymmetrical division: apical -basal pattern and radial pattern.

    3. Polarity of the cell is established and apical and basal part is determined

    4. After subsequent cell division and differentiation, the meristematic tissue is formed

    5. The primary meristematic tissues are protoderm, ground meristem and procambium

    6. Cell divisions takes place now at the apical portion of the polar sides – bipolar differentiation distinguishing root and shoot.

    7. The primary meristematic tissues formed are especially for the elongation.

    8. These primary meristematic tissues now mature to form cotyledons forming a radicle and plumule – root and shoot primordia.

    9. Cotyledons stages are seed germination period where the shoot differentiates into leaves, nodes and internodes.

    10. The formation and development of root and shoot is the vegetative growth of the plant

    11. On further differentiation when the apical meristem give rise to floral apical meristem this is the reproductive stage.

    12. The primary successive growth results due to the apical meristem.

    13. The primary tissues increase in thickness (i.e.) girth and enter secondary growth.

    14. Secondary growth results in the radial thickening of the plant results in increase of cell division in secondary cambial growth.

    15. The secondary growth meristem results in the production of vascular cambium – secondary vascular cambium tissues.

    16. The lateral meristem aids in increase of volume of the secondary tissues.

    17. The maturity of plant leads to the termination of plant’s life after the maturation and differentiation.

    18. Senescence is the gradual programmed cell death which can be controlled by the chemical regulators of the plant

    19. Senescence can also be caused by the accumulation of change which decreases the productivity if an organism causing death.

    20. The development, differentiation and maturation is a gradual process, similarly the senescence is also a gradual process where the plant reduces the utilization of basic proteins for the synthesis of food and energy. Later reduced metabolism will lead to death of the plant under natural condition.

    Plant Development Citations

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