Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana Growth Behavior in Different Light Qualities
Published on: February 2, 2018
LIGHT CONTROL OF SEEDLING DEVELOPMENT
Albrecht Von Arnim1, Xing-Wang Deng
1Department of Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8104.
Abstract:
Light control of plant development is most dramatically illustrated by seedling development. Seedling development patterns under light (photomorphogenesis) are distinct from those in darkness (skotomorphogenesis or etiolation) with respect to gene expression, cellular and subcellular differentiation, and organ morphology. A complex network of molecular interactions couples the regulatory photoreceptors to developmental decisions. Rapid progress in defining the roles of individual photoreceptors and the downstream regulators mediating light control of seedling development has been achieved in recent years, predominantly because of molecular genetic studies in Arabidopsis thaliana and other species. This review summarizes those important recent advances and highlights the working models underlying the light control of cellular development. We focus mainly on seedling morphogenesis in Arabidopsis but include complementary findings from other species.
Related Concept Videos
Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light
Cell Signaling in Plants
Introduction to Seed Plants
Light Acquisition
Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte
Meristems and Plant Growth

