Answer: Activate defense responses against herbivory and pathogens, regulate pollen development, and inhibit growth.
- A Promote climacteric fruit ripening mainly through ethylene synergism during late development according to standard textbooks
- B Activate defense responses against herbivory and pathogens, regulate pollen development, and inhibit growth
- C Promote stomatal opening by activating proton pumps within guard cell membranes directly in general practice
- D Bind the same TIR1 receptor as auxin and trigger largely identical downstream signaling pathways as frequently described
Correct answer: B. Activate defense responses against herbivory and pathogens, regulate pollen development, and inhibit growth
Explanation: Jasmonate (JA-Ile): key mediator of wound response (herbivore attack), pathogen defense, pollen development, and some stress responses. Triggers protease inhibitor gene expression.
Geometric growth (where both daughter cells keep dividing) produces this classic S-shaped curve: a slow lag phase, a rapid exponential phase, and a levelling-off stationary phase as nutrients or space become limiting - the same fundamental pattern seen in population growth.
Concept context
Phases of plant growth, the five classical plant hormones plus newer ones, photoperiodism, vernalization, and seed dormancy.