Article
Article
Ethylene (plant physiology)
Article By:
Kevany, Brian M. Department of Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Dal Cin, Valeriano Department of Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Klee, Harry J. Department of Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Last reviewed:January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.900120
A phytohormone (plant hormone) that is an important signaling molecule involved in many plant processes, including, but not limited to, abscission (the physiological process promoted by abscisic acid whereby plants shed a part), leaf and flower senescence, germination, sex determination, and fruit ripening. Ethylene also functions in both biotic and abiotic stress responses. Exposure to environmental stresses—such as flooding, wounding, herbivory (the consumption of plants without killing them), chilling, or pathogen attack—can enhance ethylene production. This ethylene then slows growth until the stress is removed. Interest in ethylene's importance as a plant hormone over the past century has laid the foundation for a real understanding of ethylene's involvement in plant growth and development. See also: Abscission; Plant development; Plant growth; Plant hormones; Plant physiology
The content above is only an excerpt.
About AccessScience
AccessScience provides the most accurate and trustworthy scientific information available.
Recognized as an award-winning gateway to scientific knowledge, AccessScience is an amazing online resource that contains high-quality reference material written specifically for students. Contributors include more than 10,000 highly qualified scientists and 46 Nobel Prize winners.
MORE THAN 8700 articles covering all major scientific disciplines and encompassing the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology
115,000-PLUS definitions from the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms
3000 biographies of notable scientific figures
MORE THAN 19,000 downloadable images and animations illustrating key topics
ENGAGING VIDEOS highlighting the life and work of award-winning scientists
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY and additional readings to guide students to deeper understanding and research
LINKS TO CITABLE LITERATURE help students expand their knowledge using primary sources of information
