Photomorphogenesis

Photomorphogenesis (/ˌfoʊtoʊmɔːrfəˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/; from the Greek words phōs meaning "light", morphē meaning "form", and genesis meaning "origin") is the growth and development of plants in response to light. It is a completely dependent process on light quality, direction, and intensity.

Etymology

The term "Photomorphogenesis" is derived from three Greek words: phōs meaning "light", morphē meaning "form", and genesis meaning "origin". It was first used in the early 20th century to describe the effect of light on plant development.

Process

Photomorphogenesis is regulated by photoreceptors, which absorb light and signal changes in the plant's environment. These photoreceptors include Phytochrome, Cryptochrome, and Phototropin. The process involves a series of biochemical reactions that lead to changes in plant growth and development.

Related Terms

Photoperiodism: The physiological reaction of organisms to the length of day or night.
Phototropism: The orientation of a plant or other organism in response to light, either towards the source of light (positive phototropism) or away from it (negative phototropism).
Phytochrome: A type of photoreceptor in plants and bacteria that is sensitive to light in the red and far-red region of the visible spectrum.
Cryptochrome: A class of flavoprotein that is sensitive to blue light. They are involved in the circadian rhythms of plants and animals, and in the sensing of magnetic fields in a number of species.
Phototropin: A photoreceptor protein, sensitive to blue light, that mediates phototropism in higher plants.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Photomorphogenesis
Wikipedia's article - Photomorphogenesis

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Photomorphogenesis