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Understanding Plant Responses: Hormones, Tropisms, and Chemical Defenses

Plants, unlike animals, do not have the ability to move in response to their environment. Instead, they have developed complex systems for sensing and reacting to various stimuli. This article explores key aspects of plant physiology, including hormone production, responses to light, and chemical defenses.

Hormonal Regulation of Plant Functions

Plants produce hormones that act as signaling molecules to regulate growth and development. One notable hormone is ethylene, a gas that plays a crucial role in fruit ripening and leaf abscission during winter. The production of ethylene is influenced by environmental stressors such as water loss, air composition changes, and competition with neighboring plants.