Understanding Apical Dominance in Plants

Explanation:

Apical dominance occurs when the shoot tip inhibits the growth of the lateral bud so that the plant grows in an upward direction. This phenomenon is essential for the plant to grow towards sunlight, allowing it to obtain more energy for the process of photosynthesis.

This process is made possible by the presence of the apical bud at the shoot tip. The apical bud produces a hormone called auxin, which plays a crucial role in inhibiting the growth of lateral buds. When the apical bud is intact, auxin concentration remains high, keeping the lateral buds dormant.

However, if the apical bud is removed, the concentration of auxin decreases, allowing the lateral buds to grow and break their dormancy. This results in the lateral buds developing into branches, contributing to the overall growth and shape of the plant.

Therefore, the term used to describe the shoot tips' effect of keeping the lateral buds dormant is known as apical dominance.