Which plant hormone is primarily responsible for the ripening of fruits?

Correct answer: Ethylene

Explanation: ✅ Correct Answer: (D) Ethylene 📚 Explanation: Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating various developmental processes, most notably the ripening of fruits. It triggers the breakdown of cell walls, conversion of starches to sugars, and changes in color and aroma. Unlike other hormones, ethylene can diffuse through the air, allowing one ripening fruit to induce ripening in others nearby. This property is exploited commercially to ripen fruits like bananas and tomatoes during transport.