How to identify a plant hormone from a list of compounds

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Detailed Solution

The best way to identify a plant hormone (or phytohormone) is to recognize the five major classes they fall into. Any compound belonging to these groups acts as a chemical messenger that regulates plant growth and development, often at very low concentrations.

Memorize these five main types:

Auxins: These are the primary "growth" hormones.
- Look for:Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). This is the main natural auxin.
Gibberellins (GAs): These are known for promoting dramatic elongation and breaking dormancy.
- Look for:Gibberellic acid (often abbreviated as GA3).
Cytokinins: These are the "cell division" hormones.
- Look for:Zeatin (most common natural one), Kinetin.
Abscisic Acid (ABA): This is the main "stress" or "dormancy" hormone.
- Look for:Abscisic acid.
Ethylene: This is a gas that acts as an "aging" or "ripening" hormone.
- Look for:Ethylene.