Auxin - Universal development signal in plant life

Signal molecules known as phytohormones play a decisive role in processing signals coming to plants from the surrounding environment. They include auxin — a simple compound with a large range of effects. Auxin is irregularly deposited in plant tissues, it accumulates in certain cellules and through activation of a signal cascade it causes changes in the development programme of these cellules. This article forms a part of the series prepared in honour of the anniversary of the important plant physiologist — Bohumil Němec.