GATE 2021 BT – Question 41

Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology · Plants: Totipotency, organogenesis, regeneration, growth regulators, tissue and cell suspension culture, secondary metabolites · 2 marks · Multiple choice

Which hormone/function combinations are correct? P abscisic acid—breaks seed dormancy; Q auxin—induces cell division; R ethylene—stimulates fruit ripening; S gibberellin—promotes seed dormancy.

P and R only
P and S only
Q and R only
Q and S only

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (C) Q and R only

Explanation

Check each hormone-function pair.

**P. Abscisic acid breaks seed dormancy.** False. ABA **maintains** dormancy and closes stomata under stress.
**Q. Auxin induces cell division.** True. Auxin acts together with cytokinin in promoting cell division (for example in callus culture), as well as elongation. ✓
**R. Ethylene stimulates fruit ripening.** True. It is the ripening hormone. ✓
**S. Gibberellin promotes seed dormancy.** False. Gibberellins **break** dormancy and promote germination.

Correct: **Q and R only** (C).