Oak trees produce acorns (containing seeds)in the fall that will-if not eaten by deer,squirrels,and mice-germinate in the spring.When they first hit the ground in the fall,they must have _______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Acorns need to have high levels of the hormone ABA (abscisic acid) to prevent them from immediately germinating when they hit the ground in the fall. This allows them to survive the winter and germinate in the spring. Gibberellin, on the other hand, promotes seed germination, so low levels of gibberellin are needed in the fall to prevent premature germination. Therefore, acorns must have lots of ABA and little gibberellin when they first hit the ground in the fall.

Oak Trees Produce Acorns (Containing Seeds)in the Fall That Will-If