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Ch. 33 Control Systems in Plants
Taylor - Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections 10th Edition
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTaylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th EditionCh. 33 Control Systems in PlantsProblem 20
Chapter 33, Problem 20

Imagine the following scenario: A plant biologist has developed a synthetic chemical that mimics the effects of a plant hormone. The chemical can be sprayed on apples before harvest to prevent flaking of the natural wax that is formed on the skin. This makes the apples shinier and gives them a deeper red color. What kinds of questions do you think should be answered before farmers start using this chemical on apples? How might the scientist go about finding answers to these questions?

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Identify the specific plant hormone that the synthetic chemical mimics and understand its role and mechanism in natural plant physiology. This will help in predicting potential side effects or interactions when applied externally.
Conduct laboratory tests to determine the optimal concentration and application method of the synthetic chemical that maximizes benefits while minimizing any harmful effects on the apple or the environment.
Perform controlled field trials to observe the effects of the synthetic chemical on apple trees over multiple growing seasons. This includes monitoring the health of the trees, the quality of the fruit, and any changes in the ecosystem around the trees.
Evaluate the long-term effects of the synthetic chemical on consumers' health by conducting toxicological studies. This involves assessing whether any residues of the chemical remain on the apples at harvest and after storage, and if these residues are safe for consumption.
Assess the environmental impact of regular use of the synthetic chemical, including its potential effects on soil health, non-target organisms (such as bees and other pollinators), and local water sources.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Plant Hormones

Plant hormones, or phytohormones, are chemical messengers that regulate various physiological processes in plants, including growth, development, and responses to environmental stimuli. They play crucial roles in processes such as fruit ripening, flowering, and stress responses. Understanding how these hormones function is essential for evaluating the synthetic chemical's effectiveness and safety.
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Chemical Safety and Toxicology

Chemical safety and toxicology involve studying the effects of substances on living organisms and the environment. Before introducing a new chemical, it is vital to assess its potential toxicity, environmental impact, and long-term effects on human health and ecosystems. This ensures that the chemical does not pose risks to consumers or the agricultural environment.
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Regulatory Approval Process

The regulatory approval process is a series of evaluations and assessments that a new agricultural chemical must undergo before it can be marketed. This process typically involves rigorous testing for efficacy, safety, and environmental impact, followed by reviews from governmental agencies. Understanding this process is crucial for the scientist to navigate the necessary steps for the chemical's use in agriculture.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Write a short paragraph explaining why a houseplant becomes bushier if you pinch off its terminal buds.
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Textbook Question
A plant nursery manager tells the new night security guard to stay out of a room where chrysanthemums (which are short-day plants) are about to flower. Around midnight, the guard accidentally opens the door to the chrysanthemum room and turns on the lights for a moment. How might this affect the chrysanthemums? How could the guard correct the mistake?
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Textbook Question

A plant biologist observed a peculiar pattern when a tropical shrub was attacked by caterpillars. After a caterpillar ate a leaf, it would skip over nearby leaves and attack a leaf some distance away. Simply removing a leaf did not trigger the same change nearby. The biologist suspected that a damaged leaf sent out a chemical that signaled other leaves. How could this hypothesis be tested?

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Textbook Question

The discovery of auxin is a good example of how scientists build upon each other's work. For each of the three sets of researchers discussed in the chapter (the Darwins, Boyle-Jensen, and Went), write a one-sentence summary of what they discovered. If you were going to credit one person as being the 'discoverer' of auxin, who would it be?

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