Auxin
A plant hormone that regulates growth, particularly cell elongation. Auxin gradients direct plant growth toward light (phototropism) and establish apical dominance.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 5 chapters:
"It's called apical dominance, and it's a brilliant resource allocation strategy. The tip of the main shoot (the apex) produces a hormone called auxin that suppresses the growth of lateral buds. Translation: the top of the tree chemically prevents side branches from growing too aggressively."
"...t (sink) where sugars are unloaded. - Contents: Sugars (10-30% concentration - sucrose primarily, also glucose, fructose), amino acids, hormones (auxin, cytokinin), signaling molecules, RNA - Structure: Living cells (sieve tube elements with perforated end walls, companion cells provide metabolic..."
"... from the upper to the lower part, causing the latter to bend." He died two years later, never knowing what that "influence" was. The influence was auxin. The discovery of plant hormones and how they enable directional growth toward resources would take another 50 years."
"...a bush instead of a vine. This is apical dominance - the phenomenon where the main shoot suppresses lateral branch growth. The terminal bud produces auxin (a plant hormone that regulates growth and causes phototropism - the bending of plants toward light) which flows downward and inhibits lateral buds f..."
"...hy do dormant buds activate? Why didn't they grow before? Apical dominance (covered in Chapter 5) suppresses lateral buds. The terminal bud produces auxin hormone, which flows downward and inhibits lateral buds. As long as the terminal bud exists, lateral buds stay dormant. Cut the trunk, remove the te..."
Biological Context
Auxin is produced in growing tips and young leaves, flowing downward through the plant. It accumulates on the shaded side of stems, causing cells there to elongate more, bending the plant toward light. Auxin also inhibits lateral bud growth, maintaining apical dominance.
Business Application
Auxin-like signals in organizations direct resources toward priority initiatives. Executive attention functions like auxin—where leadership focuses, resources flow, and growth occurs.