Which plant hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating cell division?

Cytokinins are the plant hormones primarily responsible for stimulating cell division, particularly in the processes of growth and development. They play a crucial role in promoting the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids, which are essential for cell division and tissue development. By influencing various aspects of cell physiology and growth, cytokinins help regulate plant processes such as shoot and root growth, as well as the overall plant response to environmental stimuli. This is why cytokinins are recognized for their importance in the advancement of plant tissues and their capacity to encourage new growth.

Auxins, on the other hand, are primarily responsible for cell elongation and the regulation of various growth processes, but they do not directly stimulate cell division. Ethylene is a hormone that primarily regulates fruit ripening and can influence other developmental processes, but it does not directly aid in cell division. Gibberellins are involved in promoting growth and can influence seed germination, stem elongation, and flowering, but their primary functions do not center around stimulating cell division in the same way as cytokinins do. Understanding the specific roles of these hormones is essential for effective plant growth management and cultivation practices.