Biology / Unit 11 Bio 2519 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Apical Dominance
Captions available
The idea
Apical dominance is the apical bud's suppression of axillary bud growth, keeping a plant's shoot growth concentrated at its main tip.
In practice
A conifer's strong apical dominance produces its typical conical shape; removing the apical bud lets axillary buds branch out.
Where people slip
Pruning a plant's top exploits this mechanism deliberately, encouraging a bushier shape by releasing suppressed axillary buds.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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