Britannica AI Icon

indoleacetic acid

chemical compound
Also known as: IAA, indole-3-acetic acid, indolylacetic acid

Quick Summary

Indoleacetic acid (IAA) is a naturally occurring plant hormone, classified as an auxin. It is primarily known for regulating plant growth by stimulating cell elongation in stems. IAA also influences cell division, fruit development, root formation from cuttings, and leaf fall.12

This hormone affects plants by interacting with chemical bonds in plant cell walls, allowing cells to change irreversibly and absorb water. IAA plays a role in phototropism (growth toward light) and geotropism (growth against gravity) by influencing how auxin distributes on different sides of the plant stem and roots. While it promotes stem elongation, its effect on root growth is inhibitory, though not fully understood. Both natural and synthetic auxins are utilized in horticulture and agriculture for various purposes, including promoting rooting and controlling weeds.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.