Class XI Biology Assignment
Chapter: Plant Growth and Development
(Handwritten-style content for notebook use)
Introduction
(Write neatly in cursive/handwritten style in your notebook) Plant growth and development are fundamental
biological processes that enable plants to increase in size, form new organs, and complete their life cycle.
Growth refers to irreversible increase in size or mass, while development includes all changes that lead to
maturity, such as differentiation, morphogenesis, and senescence. These processes are tightly regulated by
internal factors like plant hormones and external factors such as light, water, temperature, and nutrients.
Plant Growth
Plant growth is a quantitative and irreversible increase in size, length, area, volume, or dry weight.
Characteristics of Plant Growth
• It is irreversible.
• It occurs due to cell division, cell elongation, and cell differentiation.
• It requires energy and nutrients.
Phases of Growth
1. Meristematic Phase
Cells actively divide; found at root and shoot apices.
2. Elongation Phase
Cells increase in size due to vacuole enlargement and cell wall loosening.
3. Maturation Phase
Cells attain permanent shape, size, and function.
Types of Growth
• Primary Growth: Increase in length due to apical meristems.
• Secondary Growth: Increase in girth due to lateral meristems (cambium).
Plant Development
Plant development is the sum total of growth and differentiation.
1
Differentiation
The process by which cells become structurally and functionally specialized.
Dedifferentiation
Mature cells regain the capacity to divide (e.g., formation of cork cambium).
Redifferentiation
Cells formed after dedifferentiation specialize again to perform specific functions.
Morphogenesis
Development of form and structure of different plant parts such as roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.
Plant Growth Regulators (Phytohormones)
Plant growth regulators are organic substances produced in small amounts that influence growth and
development.
1. Auxins
• Promote cell elongation
• Help in apical dominance and root initiation
2. Gibberellins
• Promote stem elongation
• Induce seed germination and flowering
3. Cytokinins
• Promote cell division
• Delay senescence
4. Ethylene
• Promotes fruit ripening
• Causes senescence and leaf fall
5. Abscisic Acid (ABA)
• Inhibits growth
• Induces dormancy and stress responses
2
Factors Affecting Plant Growth and Development
External Factors
• Light: Influences photosynthesis and photoperiodism
• Temperature: Affects enzyme activity
• Water: Essential for metabolic reactions
• Nutrients: Required for healthy growth
Internal Factors
• Genetic makeup
• Plant hormones
Photoperiodism
Photoperiodism is the response of plants to the duration of light and dark periods.
• Short-day plants: Flower when day length is shorter than critical period
• Long-day plants: Flower when day length exceeds critical period
• Day-neutral plants: Flower irrespective of day length
Vernalization
Vernalization is the induction of flowering by exposure to low temperature.
Example: Wheat, barley
Diagrams to Draw (Compulsory for Class XI)
Diagram 1: Regions of Root Showing Phases of Growth
• Root cap
• Meristematic zone
• Elongation zone
• Maturation zone
(Draw a neat, well-labelled longitudinal section of root tip)
Diagram 2: Types of Plant Hormones
• Auxin
• Gibberellin
3
• Cytokinin
• Ethylene
• Abscisic Acid
(Draw simple flowchart or boxes showing functions)
Diagram 3: Photoperiodism
• Short-day plant
• Long-day plant
• Day-neutral plant
(Use sun and moon symbols for day/night)
Conclusion
Plant growth and development are complex processes controlled by genetic factors and environmental
conditions. Understanding these processes is essential for agriculture, horticulture, and food production, as
they help in improving crop yield and quality.
References
• NCERT Biology Class XI
• Taiz & Zeiger, Plant Physiology
