IAA Stimulates Cell Enlargement

Cell wall contains layer of cellulose fibrils and are normally quite rigid. Thus for a cell to grow, there must be a mechanism for relaxing the cellulose fibrils. IAA releases the cross linking bands which hold the micro fibrils together. Auxin is thought to cause the walls to become plastic and them osmotic water intake causes the cell to swell like a balloon. American physiologist P.M. Ray has observed that IAA effect on elongation begins after a lag period of only 8-12 minutes, in tissues as coleoptiles. Recently it has been found that with certain auxins or even with IAA itself when used under correct conditions, the lag period can be reduced to 1 minute or less.

These effects are now considered to be as a result of activisation of proton pumps in membrane that pump protons in cell wall and cause a rise in acidity. Acidification loosens bonds in cell wall and cell wall plasticity increases. This rapid response is followed by activation of m-RNA translated into enzymes that catalyze synthesis of cellulose and other cell wall materials which cause the strengthening of elongated cell wall completing the cell elongation.