Ace Your OCR GCSE Biology 2026 – Dive Into Exciting Exam Excellence!

Auxins are a class of plant hormones that play a crucial role in regulating various aspects of plant growth and development, particularly cell elongation. When auxins are produced in the shoot tips of plants, they promote the elongation of cells on the side of the plant that is facing away from light. This differential growth allows the plant to bend towards the light source, a phenomenon known as phototropism.

By increasing the growth of cells, auxins regulate various growth responses in plants, including root formation, stem elongation, and the development of fruits. This ability to influence directional growth helps plants adapt to their environment, maximizing their exposure to sunlight for photosynthesis.

The other options pertain to different functions in plants. Transporting nutrients is primarily the function of the plant's vascular system, producing seeds is a result of reproductive processes, and decomposing organic matter relates to the activity of soil organisms rather than plant functions. Thus, the role of auxins in promoting cell growth and elongation is fundamental to plant development.