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NEET UG 2026 » NEET UG Study Material » Biology » Abscisic acid
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Abscisic acid

It is a plant based hormone. ABA functions in several plant organic processes, as well as seed and bud dormancy, the management of organ size and stomatal closure. It is particularly vital for plants within the response to environmental stresses, as well as drought, soil salinity, cold tolerance, phase transition tolerance, heat stress and significant metal particle tolerance.

Table of Content
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Introduction

ABA was originally believed to be concerned with abscission. This can be currently renowned to be the case solely in a very little variety of plants. ABA-mediated sign additionally plays a very vital role in plants in response to environmental stress and plant pathogens. The plant genes for chaining ABA synthesis and sequence of the pathway are elucidated. ABA is additionally created by some plant pathogenic fungi via a biosynthesis path completely different from ABA synthesis in plants.

In preparation for winter, ABA is developed in terminal buds. This slows plant growth and directs leaf primordia to develop scales to guard the dormant buds throughout the cold season. ABA additionally inhibits the division of cells within the tube cambium, adjusting to cold conditions within the winter by suspending primary and secondary growth.

Abscisic acid is additionally developed within the roots in response to lack of soil water potential (which is related to dry soil) and alternative things during which the plant is also under stress. ABA then translocates to the leaves, wherever it quickly alters the diffusion potential of stomatal guard cells, inflicting them to shrink and stomata to shut. The ABA-induced stomatal closure reduces transpiration (evaporation of water out of the stomata), therefore preventing more water loss from the leaves in times of tide availability. A detailed linear correlation was found between the ABA content of the leaves and their electrical phenomenon (stomatal resistance) on a leaf space basis.

Homeostasis

Biosynthesis

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an isoprenoid plant based hormone that is synthesised within the plastidal 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway; in contrast to the structurally connected sesquiterpenes, that are shaped from the mevalonic acid-derived FDP, the C15 backbone of ABA is created once cleavage of C40 carotenoids in MEP. Zeaxanthin is that the 1st committed ABA precursor; a series of enzyme-catalysed oxidations and isomerisations via violaxanthin, and final cleavage of the C40 antioxidant by a dioxygenation reaction yields the proximal ABA precursor, xanthoxin that is then more changed to ABA via abscisic organic compound.

Abamine has been designed, synthesised and developed as the 1st specific ABA synthesis matter that makes it attainable to manage endogenous levels of ABA.

Location and temporal arrangement of ABA synthesis

  • Synthesised in nearly all plant tissues, e.g., roots, flowers, leaves and stems

  • Stored in mesophyll (chlorenchyma) cells wherever it’s conjugated to glucose via uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferase leading to the inactivated type, ABA-glucose-ester

  • Activated and free from the parenchyma in response to environmental stress, like heat stress, water stress, and salt stress

  • Released throughout desiccation of the vegetative tissues and once roots encounter soil compaction

  • Synthesised in inexperienced fruits at the start of the winter 

  • Synthesised in maturing seeds, establishing dormancy

Inactivation

ABA may be catabolized to phaseic acid via CYP707A (a cluster of P450 accelerators) or inactivated by aldohexose conjugation (ABA-glucose ester) via the enzyme uridine diphosphate-glucosyltransferase (UDP-glucosyltransferase). Catabolism via the CYP707As is incredibly vital for ABA equilibrium, and mutants in those genes typically accumulate increased levels of ABA than lines overexpressing ABA biosynthesis genes. In soil microorganisms, an alternate catabolic pathway resulting in dehydrovomifoliol via the enzyme vomifoliol dehydrogenase has been reported.

Effects

  • Antitranspirant – Induces stomatal closure, decreasing transpiration to stop water loss

  • Inhibits fruit ripening

  • Responsible for seed dormancy by inhibiting cell development – inhibits seed germination

  • Inhibits the synthesis of Kinetin nucleotide

  • Downregulates enzymes required for chemical processes

  • Acts on endodermis to stop the growth of roots once exposed to salty conditions

  • Dormancy inducer – it’s accustomed to induce dormancy within the seeds

Signal cascade

In the non-presence of ABA, the enzyme ABI1-INSENSITIVE1 (ABI1) inhibits the action of SNF1-related macromolecule kinases (subfamily 2) (SnRK2s). ABA is perceived by the PYRABACTIN RESISTANCE one (PYR1) and PYR1-like membrane proteins. Once SnRK2s are free from inhibition, they activate many transcription factors from the ABA RESPONSIVE ELEMENT-BINDING issue (ABF) family. ABFs then persist to cause changes within the expression of an outsized variety of genes. Around 100% of plant genes are thought to be regulated by ABA.

In Fungi

Few plant species (for example genus Cercospora rosicola, Botrytis cinerea and Magnaporthe oryzae) have an endogenous synthesis pathway for chaining ABA. In fungi, it appears to be the MVA synthesis pathway that’s predominant (rather than the MEP pathway that’s to blame for ABA synthesis in plants). One role of ABA created by these pathogens appears to be to suppress the plant immune responses.

In Animals

ABA has additionally been found to be a gift in metazoans, from sponges up to mammals as well as humans. Presently, its synthesis and biological role in animals is poorly renowned. ABA has recently been shown to elicit potent anti-inflammatory drug and anti-diabetic effects in mouse models of diabetes/obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, induration of the arteries and contagious disease infection. Several biological effects in animals are studied victimisation ABA as a nutraceutical or pharmacognostic drug, however ABA is additionally generated endogenously by some cells (like macrophages) once stirred. There are conflicting conclusions from completely different studies, however some claim that ABA is important for pro-inflammatory responses whereas alternatives show anti-inflammatory drug effects. Like with several natural substances with medical properties, ABA has become widespread additionally in treatment. whereas ABA clearly has helpful biological activities and lots of naturopathic remedies can contain high levels of ABA (such as grass juice, fruits and vegetables), a number of the health claims created are also exaggerated or to a fault optimistic. In class cells ABA targets a macromolecule called lanthionine synthetase C-like two (LANCL2), triggering an alternate mechanism of activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma). LANCL2 is preserved in plants  was originally recommended to be an ABA receptor additionally in plants that was later challenged.

Measurement of ABA concentration

Several strategies may facilitate quantifying the concentration of abscisic acid in a very type of plant part. The quantitative strategies used are HPLC and gigacycle per second, and ELISA. Recently, two freelance FRET probes were developed that may live animate ABA concentrations in real time in vivo.

Conclusion

Thus, Abscisic acid (ABA) is a type of hormone usually associated with the majority of plant responses with stress. It is biosynthesised and some phytopathogenic fungi use 2 different pathways. Plants Biosynthesize ABA using the carotenoid initiated from C40. All Process takes place in plastids, and in the cytoplasm.

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Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

What is Abscisic acid?

Ans. Abstract Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone that stimulates many aspects of plant developm...Read full

Mention some functions of Abscisic acid?

Ans. (a) Stimulates the epidermis’s stomata to close. ...Read full

Discuss some effects of abscisic acid on plants

Ans. Abscisic acid promotes the growth and development of the root system, including rhizomes of th...Read full

Why is ABA referred to as a stress hormone?

Ans. Abscisic acid aids the plant’s survival under adverse environmental circumstances. When ...Read full

Where does abscisic acid found in plants?

Ans. Abscisic acid is a hormone that travels via the xylem from the root to various sections of the...Read full

Ans. Abstract Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone that stimulates many aspects of plant development, growth, and stress responses. Reduced seed dormancy and wilty characteristics are seen in ABA-deficient mutants from a variety of plant species, indicating that these important ABA activities are conserved across the plant kingdom.

Ans. (a) Stimulates the epidermis’s stomata to close.

(b)Seed development and maturation are favoured.

(c )Plant metabolism and seed germination are inhibited.

(d)Mostly in charge of abscission and dormancy regulation.

(e)It’s sprayed on trees to keep the fruits from falling off.

(f)Induces dormancy in seeds and aids in their resistance to desiccation.

Ans. Abscisic acid promotes the growth and development of the root system, including rhizomes of the hypocotyl, the formation, and growth of the cotyledonary node’s lateral shoots, and to a lesser extent, the growth of the main shoots of 17-day-old Phaseolus coccineus seedlings.

Ans. Abscisic acid aids the plant’s survival under adverse environmental circumstances. When there is a lack of water in the leaves, the concentration of ABA rises, which promotes stomata closing, hence the name “stress hormone.” During poor conditions, it encourages seed dormancy.

Ans. Abscisic acid is a hormone that travels via the xylem from the root to various sections of the shoot, regulating transpirational water loss and leaf growth. Because target cells identify concentrations, variables that change the intensity of the ABA signal in the xylem are of particular interest. If radial ABA transport occurs only in the symplast, ABA will decrease as radial water flow through the roots increases. Such dilutions of plant hormone concentrations can be compensated in a variety of ways, including apoplastic bypass flows of ABA.

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