Question:
The breakdown product of DNA (capable of inducing cell division) which was later identified as cytokinin is
The breakdown product of DNA (capable of inducing cell division) which was later identified as cytokinin is
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Kinetin is an artificial artifact of autoclaved DNA. Although it is not synthesized naturally by plants, it remains a valuable tool in plant tissue culture to induce shoot regeneration.
Updated On: Jul 13, 2026
- trans-Zeatin
- Kinetin
- Benzyladenine
- Thidiazuron
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Cytokinins are a class of plant hormones that regulate cell division, organogenesis, apical dominance, and leaf senescence. The discovery of the first cytokinin was linked to chemical work on nucleic acid breakdown products.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- In the 1950s, Folke Skoog and his co-workers were investigating factors that stimulate division in tobacco parenchyma pith cells grown *in vitro*.
- They observed that while fresh DNA had no effect, adding autoclaved or heated herring sperm DNA stimulated cell division in the presence of auxin.
- Carlos Miller isolated and crystallized the active compound from this degraded DNA sample, naming it kinetin because of its ability to promote cell division (cytokinesis).
- Kinetin was chemically identified as 6-furfurylaminopurine. It forms when DNA is heated, causing dehydration and rearrangement of the deoxyribose sugar and adenine base.
- While kinetin is a breakdown product of DNA, trans-Zeatin (1) was the first natural, endogenous plant cytokinin discovered (isolated from immature maize kernels by Letham in 1963).
- Benzyladenine (3) and Thidiazuron (4) are synthetic cytokinins.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The DNA breakdown product that promotes cell division is Kinetin.
Cytokinins are a class of plant hormones that regulate cell division, organogenesis, apical dominance, and leaf senescence. The discovery of the first cytokinin was linked to chemical work on nucleic acid breakdown products.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- In the 1950s, Folke Skoog and his co-workers were investigating factors that stimulate division in tobacco parenchyma pith cells grown *in vitro*.
- They observed that while fresh DNA had no effect, adding autoclaved or heated herring sperm DNA stimulated cell division in the presence of auxin.
- Carlos Miller isolated and crystallized the active compound from this degraded DNA sample, naming it kinetin because of its ability to promote cell division (cytokinesis).
- Kinetin was chemically identified as 6-furfurylaminopurine. It forms when DNA is heated, causing dehydration and rearrangement of the deoxyribose sugar and adenine base.
- While kinetin is a breakdown product of DNA, trans-Zeatin (1) was the first natural, endogenous plant cytokinin discovered (isolated from immature maize kernels by Letham in 1963).
- Benzyladenine (3) and Thidiazuron (4) are synthetic cytokinins.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The DNA breakdown product that promotes cell division is Kinetin.
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