Cytokinins and Plant Cell Division — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2022Which of the following growth regulators is an adenine derivative? (NEET 2022 Phase 2)
Which of the following growth regulators is an adenine derivative? (NEET 2022 Phase 2)
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: C — Cytokinin
Cytokinin is an adenine derivative plant growth regulator. The most common natural cytokinin, zeatin, is derived from adenine with modifications. Cytokinins have adenine as their base structure with various side chains. ABA is derived from carotenoids, auxins are tryptophan derivatives, and ethylene is a simple gaseous hydrocarbon with no adenine structure.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
Cytokinins have specific effects on cytokinesis, and were discovered as kinetin (a modified form of adenine, a purine) from the autoclaved herring sperm DNA. Kinetin does not occur naturally in plants. Search for natural substances with cytokinin-like activities led to the isolation of zeatin from corn-kernels and coconut milk. Since the discovery of zeatin, several naturally occurring cytokinins, and some synthetic compounds with cell division promoting activity, have been identified. Natural cytokinins are
Cytokinins are plant hormones that promote cell division and cytokinesis, with kinetin being the first discovered form—a modified adenine base from DNA. Students often confuse kinetin with natural cytokinins like zeatin; remember that kinetin is synthetic/artificial and doesn't occur naturally in plants, while zeatin is the natural cytokinin found in corn kernels and coconut milk. NTA tests this distinction because it checks whether you understand the difference between discovered lab compounds and naturally occurring plant hormones. Key point: kinetin = artificial discovery from herring sperm DNA; zeatin = natural plant cytokinin.
What does NCERT say about Cytokinins have specific effects?
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