X

GROWTH
IN
ANIMALS AND PLANTS

BEGIN

INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

In this tutorial, you will examine six topics

related to growth in animals and plants:
1. What is growth?
2. Evidence of Plant Growth
3. Evidence of Animal Growth
4. Plant Growth patterns
5. Animal Growth Patterns
6. Growth Substances in Living Things.
You can access these topics in the menu on the
right.
Read the objectives on the next slide, for the first
five topics, before exploring each topic.
2

OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

After working through this tutorial,

you will be
able to:
1. define growth.
2. describe various evidence of
growth in plants and in animals.
3. state the main difference between
growth in plants and in animals.

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

WHAT IS GROWTH?
OBJECTIVES

Growth is one of the life processes of all

living things!

WHAT IS GROWTH?

GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

RESPONSE TO
ENVIRONMENTAL
CHANGES

RESPIRATION

MOVEMENT
EXCRETION

LIVING THINGS

REPRODUCTION
NUTRITION

What else can you say about growth?

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

WHAT IS GROWTH?
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

From this set of pictures below, what do

you infer about growth? Write a definition.

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

WHAT IS GROWTH?
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

Look at the pictures below and then

try to modify/add to your definition of
growth.

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

WHAT IS GROWTH?
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

Now, look at these pictures below.

What else can you add to your
definition of growth?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

WHAT IS GROWTH?
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

Did you include any or all of these in

CHECK
your definition of GROWTH?
May involve
change in
Increase in size,
appearance as the
mass or number
young becomes an
adult
Germination of a dormant
seed to a seedling carrying
on active life processes
Accompanied by
development from simple to
more complex stage, body
form or function
8

WHAT IS GROWTH?
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

Growth takes place only in living

organisms that are involved in
carrying on various life processes
and whose cell(s) is/are
synthesizing materials, obtained
from the environment, into
its/their own structures. Overall
growth may slow down or cease
once a maximum size is reached.
True growth cannot occur in nonliving matter.
9

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

GROWTH IN PLANTS vs.

GROWTH IN ANIMALS
In higher plants, growth is limited
to areas called meristems, some of
which are located in stem/root tips.

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

10

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH IN PLANTS vs.

GROWTH IN ANIMALS
There may be set growing
seasons during which new plant
parts e.g. leaves, flowers, are
produced.
Growth may be for one year only
then the plant dies (annual), two
years (biennial) or several years,
and various structures are often
grown e.g. bulbs, rhizomes etc, and
dispersed, e.g. seeds, to ensure the
continuity of the species.

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

11

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

GROWTH IN PLANTS vs.

GROWTH IN ANIMALS
Perrennials
such as this
Giant Redwood
tree is over 300
years old! It is
massive in size.
It has also grown
so wide that a
car can be
driven through
the base of its

12

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH IN PLANTS vs.

GROWTH IN ANIMALS
Growth in higher animals occurs in
all kinds of cells and continues
throughout their life cycle.
Both animals live
in the ocean. No
matter how long
it lives, will the
fish ever grow as
big as the orca?

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

13

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

GROWTH IN PLANTS vs.

GROWTH IN ANIMALS
In all animal species, growth in overall
size/mass ceases once the maximum
size for that species is reached, but
growth in specific tissues/organs and
for specific purposes (e.g. reproduction)
may continue throughout the animals
life span.

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

Each animal species also grows into a

distinctly recognizable shape and often
also, colour/s or markings/s.

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

14

OBJECTIVES

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS
1.

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

What evidence of
growth does
CHECK
this man show?
2. How do you know that you are
growing? Make a list of signs of
your own growth and compare
it
CHECK
with
others in the class.
1. Facial hairs have grown to form a beard
and moustache.
2. Head hair/nails lengthen; increase in
height, mass, overall body size; growth
of body hair (in arm pits, genital area,
chest or face); enlarged genitals and
breasts; menstruation starts in females;
sex cells are produced.

15

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS

Do other animals also show signs of

their growth? What are they?

Perhaps the pictures in the next

seven slides can help you to
answer those questions.
Talk within your group then with your
teacher about each one.

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

16

OBJECTIVES

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS
1. Sexually produced offspring

Describe the growth changes. (Not

WHAT IS GROWTH?

to same scale)

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

17

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS

2. Metamorphosis may occur - the series

of changes in body form and functions
through which an animal goes as it grows
from fertilized egg to adult stage.
Complete metamorphosis = egg
larva
larva pupa adult
(In insects, the larva is called a caterpillar)

Incomplete metamorphosis = egg

nymph
nymph adult
18

OBJECTIVES

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS

Metamorphosis occurs in a butterfly

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

19

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS
3. Asexually produced offspring e.g.
New Hydra may grow by budding from
mature parent.

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

20

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS
4. Regeneration of body parts
A starfish can re-grow or
regenerate a missing arm. A piece
of arm can even grow an entire
animal!

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

21

OBJECTIVES

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS
Regeneration of body parts

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

22

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS
What evidence of growth does the adult
White Rhinoceros (on the left) show?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

23

CHECK
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

YOURSELF!

Animals show growth by:

increasing in body size (length/mass)
going through metamorphosis to become
adults
growing various adult structures such
as horns, special hairs/ feathers,
changing colour
becoming sexually mature and producing
eggs/sperm to reproduce themselves
asexually reproducing offspring
being able to regenerate parts and to
repair damaged tissues

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

24

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

GROWTH PATTERNS IN
ANIMALS

All animals grow and develop during their life

cycle, as do plants.
Patterns of growth vary from one type of animal
to another, e.g. animals such as the cockroach
grow only in spurts at specific times called
moults.
Others grow through various stages, changing
markedly in body form/appearance, in food eaten
and even changing habitat as they enter each
stage.
Very often, the young look quite different from the
adult (e.g. tadpoles and toads), but over time,
grow and develop the adult body form and body
structures.
25

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

PATTERNS OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS
1. Look at the diagram on

the right.
How do the various CHECK
stages of the cockroach
differ?
1. The various stages differ in
size and complexity,
because the animal gets
longer, more massive and
grows wings and
reproductive parts.
Its colour might also be
different at moulting.

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

26

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

PATTERNS OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS

2. How does the pattern of growth

of a cockroach differ from that of a
CHECK
butterfly?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

2. The cockroach goes through several

stages as a nymph between egg and
adult. Nymphs resemble adults, but are
smaller. This set of growth changes is
known as incomplete metamorphosis.
A butterfly grows through complete
metamorphosis, changing from egg to
a larval form called a caterpillar then
grows into a pupa. These stages look
very different from the adult. Finally,
the pupa settles and grows all the
internal and external body structures
that makes it become an adult.

27

OBJECTIVES

PATTERNS OF GROWTH IN
ANIMALS

Watch this video from the following website:

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=_MupYQMAaKA&feature=related
Pause it just as it reaches 2.22 to see the life cycle
diagram.

Did you notice how each stage looks

different?
You would have seen in the video above that
frogs/toads also have a growth pattern that
involves metamorphosis. From the eggs, the
tadpoles that hatch out go through growth
changes in which they lose their long tail and
their external gills, then develop internal
lungs and legs as they transform into adults.

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

28

GROWTH PATTERNS IN ANIMALS

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

Growth and repair occurs gradually

over time in every tissue in
humans. At puberty there is
increased growth and development
of secondary sexual characteristics.
Check your textbook later to see
what the human growth curve
looks like.

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

29

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
PLANTS

There are various kinds of evidence

to support
plant growth:
Germination and Development
Increase in size/complexity
Tropic responses
Production of flowers/fruits
Asexual production of plants

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

30

OBJECTIVES

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
PLANTS

1. Germination and Development

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

1. Observe the
sequence of growth
and development as
the seed
germinates.
2. In your notebook,
list all the changes
that you can
observe as the plant
grows and develops.
3. What other changes
would you expect
the plant to undergo
as it develops
31
further?

OBJECTIVES

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
PLANTS
2. Tropic Responses

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

Tropisms are the growth of a

plant part toward or away from a
stimulus, and include:
Phototropism: in response to light
Gravitropism: in response to gravity
Thigmotropism: in response to touch

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

32

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
PLANTS
Tropic responses in stems
This stem shows a positive phototropic
growth response.
From what direction is the
light coming? Left or right
side?
Why do you say so?CHECK
The light is coming from the left
side, because the shoot has
grown curved to the left. Shoots
and stems are positively
phototropic , that is, they tend to
grow towards the light source.
Note: Roots are negatively
phototropic. Roots tend to grow
away from a light source.

33

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
PLANTS
Tropic Responses in Roots e.g.
Geotropism or Gravitropism
1

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

Describe what is happening to

CHECK
the radicle in seeds 2 and
3.
In seed 2 and 3, the radicle has grown curved and
bent downwards in response to the downward
stimulus of gravity (shown by the arrow at right)
because it is inferred that the seed was placed on its
side in #2 and upside-down in #3.

34

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
PLANTS
Thigmotropic growth
response
In some

plants,
stems or
tendrils will
grow to twine
around a firm
object in
response to
touch, and so
hold the
plant upright
to support it
as it grows.

35

OBJECTIVES

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
PLANTS

3. Flowering and fruiting occurs

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

36

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
PLANTS

4. Asexually produced new plants

that grow from special growing areas
on stems
and roots.

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

37

OBJECTIVES

Asexually produced new plants

What evidence of growth is
shown on these Coleus stem
cuttings?

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

38

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

EVIDENCE OF GROWTH IN
PLANTS
5. Increase in size and complexity
Trees such as the Giant Redwood
or a Mahoe grow complex
branching shoot and root systems.
They develop thick, woody trunks
because tissue called xylem has
grown in the centre of the tree
trunk over many years.

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

39

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

PATTERNS OF GROWTH IN
PLANTS
Higher plants show
many different
growth forms, for
example, they can be
herbs (herbaceous
plants with soft
stems), shrubs or
bushes with low
branching woody
trunks or grow into
trees with a single
woody trunk.

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

40

Life cycle of a flowering plant

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

41

OBJECTIVES

Growth of a dicot seed into a

seedling
http://www.butler.edu/herbarium/treeid/treeparts.html

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

42

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

GROWTH SUBSTANCES IN LIVING

THINGS

Introduction
Plant Growth Substances
Human Growth Substances

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

43

INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

Do you think that growth substances

have anything to do with the living
organism/s in each picture on this
and the previous slide?
If so, what?

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

44

INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

Among humans and other mammals abnormality

in growth, e.g. dwarfism and gigantism, can
occur. What causes that kind of growth?
As fruits grow and mature they usually ripen
naturally. But, is there anything that can cause
artificial ripening of fruits like paw-paws or
bananas?
Plant hedges are often pruned so they grow and
branch and become much more bushy than
before. How is that possible? Is there something
in the tip that might have been preventing them
from branching?
And, what causes leaves to age and lose their
green colour as they age?
All female mammals produce milk to feed their
young; is milk produced continuously? Why?

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

45

OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

When you finish this section on

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES, you should be able to:
1. describe substances causing various
kinds of growth and growth changes
in plants.
2. give examples of the use of plant
growth substances in agriculture.
3. discuss the role of selected growth
substances in growth and
development in humans.
46

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

PLANT GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

Click on the photo to enlarged it.

What caused the growth in the shoots
towards the light?
In the 1800s, Charles Darwin suggested
that a chemical messenger was
responsible for the stems response to a
unilateral light source. This has been found
to be correct.
These chemicals were later called auxins.
Talk with your teacher about the experiment
with auxin shown in the next slides.

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

47

OBJECTIVES

AUXIN PROMOTES PLANT

GROWTH

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

48

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

PLANT GROWTH SUBSTANCES AUXINS

The auxin is produced in the shoot tip but is

transported downwards when unilateral
stimulation by light occurs.
The side away from
the light (shaded)
gets more auxins
and grows more
than the side
facing the light.
The result is
bending towards
the light source.
49

Auxins - Think and Tell

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

In general, tropisms involve cell

elongation or suppression of cell
elongation on one side of a plant,
causing the plant to grow in a
particular direction.
Can you explain what
gravitropism is,
and what happens to roots and to
stems, such as that shown in slide
43, in gravitropic or geotropic
growth?
50

-ve Gravitropism in Shoot tip

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

In shoots turned sideways/upside

down, auxins are more concentrated
on the lower side of the stem,
causing the cells there to elongate.
So, the shoot grows upward, away
from the downward pull of gravity.

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

51

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

+ve Gravitropism in Root

tips
In roots, however,
auxin concentration
on the lower side of
the root suppresses
cell elongation. The
upper side of the root
continues to grow,
causing the roots
to bend downward.

52

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

Other functions of auxins

Growth of adventitious roots (roots that
arise from any
plant part e.g. stem/leaf, other than the primary
root/radicle or its branches)

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

53

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

Other functions of
auxins
Apical
dominance

Auxins released from

the shoot tip
stimulate cell
elongation in the
stem, but
suppress the
lateral buds, so
no branching
occurs.
Cytokinins produced
in roots can
stimulate lateral
buds to grow if the
shoot tip is
removed.

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

54

Think and Tell

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

How does
pinching back
the tips of
branches on a
plant, such as
this
chrysanthemu
m cause it to
become more
bushy?
55

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

OTHER PLANT GROWTH

SUBSTANCES
GIBBERELLINS influence stem elongation,

flowering, fruit development and seed

germination.
ETHYLENE is a gas that fruits give off it
stimulates fruit ripening and also germination,
cell elongation.
ABSCISIC ACID produced in response to
environmental stressors such as drought.
Note. Abscisic acid induces seed dormancy, while
gibberellins and cytokinins break dormancy.
CYTOKININS - stimulate cell division, senescence,
seed germination, embryo and flower
development.
NB. Auxins inhibit the growth of axillary/lateral
buds, while cytokinins promote their growth.
Watch the video at this website, starting at 2.45
mins. http://www.5min.com/Video/Understanding-Plant-Hormones-151425731
56

OBJECTIVES

AGRICULTURAL USES OF
PLANT GROWTH
1.
To produce new plants e. g. from
SUBSTANCES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

2.
3.
4.
5.

stem cuttings.
To induce flowering (out of season)
To promote fruit ripening.
To produce seedless fruit.
To produce entire plants from small
pieces of tissue e.g. micropropagation.

Make a visit to or telephone your local

Agricultural Office and find out as much as
you can about how growth substances are
used in various farming practices.

57

OBJECTIVES

A horticulturist wants to produce Poinsettia plants in

time for Christmas. He buys the chemical shown below
to use to produce the plants.
Why? How will he use it to get the plants?

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

58

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

A farmer harvests his crop of mature

green
paw-paws and packages them to airfreight
them overseas. When they arrive at the
destination country, before distributing
them,
he wants them to start to ripen.
Suggest what could be done to achieve
that.

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

59

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

HUMAN GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

From watching the video of the little girl too short

for her age, you know that growth substances in
humans are called hormones and that they can
influence your growth in height and body size,
especially in children.
Hormones are made in endocrine glands, secreted
directly into the blood and transported to specific
organs where they induce specific responses.
Some glands which produce hormones that
influence growth and development are: the pituitary
and thyroid glands as well as the male/female
gonads.
60

HUMAN ENDOCRINE GLANDS

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

Location of
the human
Endocrine
glands

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

61

PITUITARY GLAND
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

Located in the brain just below the

hypothalamus and is controlled by it.

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

62

PITUITARY GLAND
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

The pituitary has two lobes, each of which

secretes hormones. Hormones from the
anterior and posterior pituitary lobes
influence other glands, so, the Pituitary is
sometimes called the master gland.

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

Hypothalamus

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

Pituitary

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

Adrenal Gland

Testes

Ovaries

Breasts

Thyroid

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

63

PITUITARY GLAND CONTD

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

Think back to the picture showing the dog

nursing its puppies. What controls milk
production? The pituitary gland of course!
One of the hormones secreted by the
anterior lobe is prolactin (PRL). It
stimulates the females breasts to produce
milk, with which young mammals are
nourished. Without milk as a starter food
many young mammals would not grow
and develop. They would not survive!
Watch the video now to learn more about
the pituitary gland.
64

THE GONADS
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

1. What is the relationship

between the hypothalamus, pituitary &
gonads?
2. Which organ does LH
and FSH act on in
males?
3. What action does LH and
FSH produce in females?
4. Which of these
hormones influence
growth and development
in females?

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

65

THE GONADS
OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

What
regulatory
mechanism
does the arrow
from the testes
to the pituitary
and the
hypothalamus
represent?

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

66

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

THYROID GLAND AND

GROWTH
The hypothalamus and
pituitary gland affect
growth indirectly by
controlling the thyroid
gland whose hormones
control metabolism in
the body. Metabolism
is how we break
down, build up and
use substances. This
in turn affects our
growth and
development.

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

67

Action of the Thyroid gland

OBJECTIVES

Use this diagram to describe in your

notebook how the pituitary and thyroid
control growth.

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

68

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

ACTION OF THE THYROID GLAND IN

GROWTH
Did your answer include the following?
The hypothalamus secretes ThyrotropinReleasing Hormone (TRH) into blood
which stimulates the anterior pituitary to
produce and secrete Thyroid
-Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Via the
blood, TSH reaches the thyroid and
causes it to produce Thyroid hormones
T3 and T4 (e.g. thyroxine)
Thyroxine mainly influences metabolism
and growth. It also can inhibit the
hypothalamus so that it decreases its
secretion of TRH. So, TSH production
would also be inhibited.
This is a negative feedback mechanism.
69

OBJECTIVES

WHAT IS GROWTH?

EVIDENCE OF
PLANT GROWTH

EVIDENCE OF
ANIMAL GROWTH

PLANT GROWTH
PATTERNS

ANIMAL GROWTH
PATTERNS

ACTION OF THE THYROID GLAND IN

GROWTH

Extreme shortness dwarfism - in humans

with proportional body parts usually has a
hormonal cause, such as growth hormone
deficiency, once known as "pituitary
dwarfism".
Certain types of dwarfism are inherited and
can be the result of mutation that affects
the fibroblast growth factor. Achondroplasia,
shown in slide 44 cannot be corrected at all
by human growth hormone!
Certain types of gigantism can be corrected
in children by the use of growth hormone,
but there are risks in using the hormone!

GROWTH
SUBSTANCES

70