Which hormone is primarily associated with fruit ripening?

Which hormone is primarily associated with fruit ripening?

• A. Auxins
• B. Gibberellins
• C. Ethylene
• D. Cytokinins

Answer: (C)

Ripening is driven by a signaling molecule in plants, and the one most closely tied to initiating and coordinating that process is ethylene. It acts as a gas that fruit tissues release, and it travels to nearby cells to turn on genes that make the fruit soften, change color, and develop the characteristic aroma and sweetness. This hormone is especially key for climacteric fruits, which fast-track ripening after harvest when ethylene levels rise. Auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins mainly regulate growth and development—such as cell elongation, fruit set, and new tissue formation. They influence how a fruit grows or develops but do not serve as the primary trigger that initiates the ripening program.

Ripening is driven by a signaling molecule in plants, and the one most closely tied to initiating and coordinating that process is ethylene. It acts as a gas that fruit tissues release, and it travels to nearby cells to turn on genes that make the fruit soften, change color, and develop the characteristic aroma and sweetness. This hormone is especially key for climacteric fruits, which fast-track ripening after harvest when ethylene levels rise.

Auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins mainly regulate growth and development—such as cell elongation, fruit set, and new tissue formation. They influence how a fruit grows or develops but do not serve as the primary trigger that initiates the ripening program.