Abscisic acid (æbˈsɪsɪk ˈæsɪd) is a plant hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes in plants. The word "abscisic" is derived from the Latin word "abscisio," meaning "cutting off," which reflects its ecological function in promoting leaf abscission and dormancy. The word "acid" refers to the carboxylic acid functional group present in the molecule. The phonetic transcription "æbˈsɪsɪk ˈæsɪd" indicates that the stress falls on the second syllables of both words, and the final "c" in "acid" is pronounced as "s."
Abscisic acid is a plant hormone that naturally occurs in higher plants. It is a small, colorless organic compound that plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological and developmental processes in plants. Also known as ABA, abscisic acid is involved in the control of seed dormancy, leaf senescence, stomatal closure, and overall stress responses.
Abscisic acid is produced in response to adverse environmental conditions such as drought, high salinity, or extreme temperatures, acting as a signal for the plant to mitigate water loss and protect itself from damage. It plays a key role in the regulation of plant water relations by promoting stomatal closure, reducing transpiration, and facilitating water uptake by roots.
Furthermore, abscisic acid regulates seed development and dormancy. It inhibits seed germination in unfavorable conditions, allowing seeds to remain dormant until suitable environmental conditions arise.
Abscisic acid helps to regulate plant growth and development by inhibiting cell division and promoting the synthesis of storage proteins. It also interacts with other plant hormones like gibberellins and auxins, modulating their effects on plant growth and development.
As a chemical messenger, abscisic acid is involved in crucial developmental processes and serves as an essential adaptive hormone in plants, allowing them to respond and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
The word "Abscisic" comes from the Latin word "abscisus", which means "cut off" or "separated". The term refers to the role of abscisic acid in inhibiting or separating plant growth, particularly by causing the abscission or detachment of plant parts, such as leaves, fruits, or flowers. The word "acid" is added to indicate the chemical nature of the compound as an organic acid.