Auxin

/ˈɔksɪn/ noun

Definition

A plant hormone that regulates cell elongation, apical dominance, and tropic responses. Auxin promotes growth in stems and roots and plays a crucial role in coordinating plant development and responses to environmental stimuli.

Etymology

From Greek 'auxein' meaning to grow or increase, coined by Dutch botanist Frits Went in 1926. The name directly reflects this hormone's primary function of promoting plant growth.

Kelly Says

Auxin is like a plant's growth director that tells cells not just to grow, but exactly how much and in which direction - it's why plants can bend toward light and why cutting off the top of a plant makes it grow bushier!

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