Question

Which of the following is coconut milk factor?
A. Auxin
B. Cytokinin
C. Morphactin
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: It is generally found in higher concentrations in meristematic regions and growing tissues. This first common natural hormone was purified from immature maize kernels and named zeatin.

Complete Answer:
- Coconut milk is an opaque and milky-white liquid extracted from the grated pulp of ripe coconuts. Coconut flesh is mixed with the water to make coconut milk, which is about 50% water. But, coconut water is about 94% water. It contains much less fat and nutrients than the coconut milk. The rich taste of coconut milk is due to its high oil content, most of which is a saturated fat.
- Some findings showed that the coconut milk contains a substance that can stimulate mature cells to enter in the cell division cycle.
- Also, coconut milk was shown to contain the cytokinin zeatin, though this finding was not found until many years after the discovery of the cytokinins. The first cytokinin discovered was the synthetic analog kinetin.
- Option A is incorrect as auxin promotes stem elongation and inhibits growth of lateral buds.
- Option B is correct as coconut milk water contains cytokinin hormone that stimulates mature cells to enter and remain in the cell division cycle.
- Option C is incorrect as morphactin generally has an inhibitory effect on seed germination, growth of seedling, and internode elongation. They also induce growth of lateral buds by inhibiting apical dominance.

So, the correct answer is option (B) i.e., Cytokinin.

Note: Plant hormones control important processes like germination, flower opening, dropping leaves, phototropism and geotropism. We use plant hormones in fruit and root cuttings.