Light is essential for the growth of a plant. Phytochromes, a complex system of photoreceptors, are responsible for detecting light conditions and directing changes within the plant in response to changes in light. HFR1 and ATHB-2 are both involved in far-red light signal responses in Arabidopsis. The hfrl loss of function mutation is known to result in increased hypocotyl elongation when following exposure to continuous far-red light. ATHB-2 is upregulated by the hfrl loss of function mutation inducing shade avoidance, though the effect of an athb-2 loss of function mutant is unknown. F2 seedlings resulting from a cross of ATHB-2/ATHB-2 hfrl/hfrl x athb- 2/athb-2 HFR1/HFR1 were genotyped via PCR. The genotypes were then compared with hypocotyl lengths of the seedlings to determine the effect of the athb-2 mutation on hypocotyl lengths, specifically on hfrl mutant seedlings. Results showed no significant effect of the athb-2 mutation on seedling hypocotyl length.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• DeNoia, Michael John

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 03B032M

Advisor

• Fairchild, Craig D.

Year

• 2003

Date created

• 2003-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright