Cytokinins, Ethylene and ABA — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

To effectively tackle NEET questions on Cytokinins, Ethylene, and ABA, a multi-pronged strategy is essential. Firstly, create a concise table summarizing each hormone's chemical nature, primary site of synthesis, and key physiological functions.

Pay close attention to unique characteristics, such as ethylene being gaseous or ABA being the 'stress hormone'. Secondly, focus heavily on the interactions between these hormones and other PGRs (like auxins and gibberellins).

Classic antagonistic pairs (e.g., ABA vs. Gibberellins for dormancy; Auxin vs. Cytokinin for apical dominance) are frequent testing points. Thirdly, understand the practical applications or specific phenomena associated with each hormone, such as ethylene's role in fruit ripening (climacteric fruits) or cytokinin's use in tissue culture.

For conceptual questions, eliminate options by recalling the distinct roles of each hormone. For instance, if a question asks about stomatal closure, immediately think of ABA. For numerical problems (though rare here), ensure you understand the underlying principles.

Finally, practice a wide variety of MCQs, including assertion-reason type questions, to solidify your understanding and identify common traps. Always read the question carefully, especially words like 'NOT' or 'EXCEPT', to avoid misinterpretation.