Indole-3-acetic acid
Indole-3-acetic acid
Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a carboxylic acid whose term in the official IUPAC nomenclature is: 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acid.
Indole-3-acetic acid has a brute or molecular formula: C10H9NO2 and is a chemical compound belonging to the auxin class, a family of plant hormones that regulate the growth and development of plants. IAA is one of the most important natural auxins and is found in plants in various concentrations, mainly in growing parts such as root tips, apical buds and developing fruits.
It is produced in the apical meristem of the buds and in the young leaves of plants generally from tryptophan, however some plants can also synthesize it from other substances.
Indole-3-acetic acid plays a crucial role in the regulation of many physiological processes in plants, including cell elongation, lateral root formation, bud growth, gravitropism (the response of plants to the force of gravity), phototropism (the response of plants to light) and the opening and closing of the stomata (small pores on the leaves through which gas exchange takes place).
Indole-3-acetic acid can be synthesized within plants or can be absorbed from the soil via roots and leaves. It was isolated for the first time from bean tissue in 1930 (the first molecule isolated from the auxin group) and has since been the subject of numerous studies in the field of plant physiology.
Indole-3-acetic acid also has important agricultural applications. It is used as a growth hormone to stimulate root elongation during plant propagation, to promote root induction on cuttings, to promote fruit formation and development, and to control weed growth. Additionally, it has been used in the research and development of plant protection and biotech products.
In summary, indole-3-acetic acid is a key plant hormone that regulates several growth and development processes in plants, playing a vital role in physiology and agriculture.
Warning: The information provided is not medical advice and may not be accurate. The contents are for illustrative purposes only and do not replace medical advice.