Use of plant hormones (HT only) — AQA GCSE Biology
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Use of plant hormones (HT only) explained
Ethene is a gaseous plant hormone that promotes fruit ripening.
Read the full explanation
In the food industry, it is applied to unripe fruit during storage and transport so that ripening occurs at a controlled time, often just before sale. For example, bananas are harvested unripe, transported in controlled conditions, then exposed to ethene to ripen uniformly. Students should understand that ethene controls the rate and timing of ripening, reducing spoilage and waste. They should also recognise that ethene is a plant hormone, not a nutrient or pesticide, and that its use allows fruit to be stored and transported without over-ripening. The skill involves explaining how ethene is used and why this benefits the food industry, using correct terminology such as hormone, ripening, storage and transport.
Your focus
- State that ethene is a plant hormone used to control fruit ripening.
- Describe how ethene is used during storage and transport of fruit.
- Explain the benefits of using ethene in the food industry.
Use of plant hormones (HT only) exam tips
Marking Points
- Ethene is a plant hormone that promotes the ripening of fruit.
- It is used to control the timing of ripening so fruit can be stored and transported before it ripens.
- Fruit is often harvested unripe and exposed to ethene when ripening is required, for example before sale.
- This reduces waste and allows fruit to reach consumers in good condition.
- Ethene is applied as a gas in controlled conditions during storage or transport.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Link ethene to its role as a plant hormone and its effect on ripening.
- 💡Use examples such as bananas to explain how ethene is used in storage and transport.
- 💡Explain the benefit to the food industry, such as reducing waste or ensuring fruit ripens at the right time.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing ethene with ethylene glycol or other chemicals; correction: ethene is the correct name for the plant hormone.
- Thinking ethene is used to prevent ripening; correction: ethene promotes or controls ripening, not prevents it.
- Believing ethene is a nutrient for fruit; correction: it is a hormone that regulates ripening.