Visual lesson 08

Ethylene-mediated sexual plasticity

Separate chromosomal sex from phenotypic floral expression by tracing how ethylene signaling and interacting developmental or environmental factors can modify reproductive morphology, without implying that hormone response rewrites chromosome complement.
Sex, Pollen & SeedsChromosomal sex versus ethylene-responsive floral expression model
staminatepistillate

Primary visual specification

Chromosomal sex versus ethylene-responsive floral expression model

Create an academically accurate chromosomal sex versus ethylene-responsive floral expression model for the Ethylene-mediated sexual plasticity lesson. Use neutral studio lighting or clean academic illustration conventions, realistic botanical proportions, readable labels where needed, no yellow cast, and no decorative elements that compete with the teaching objective.

Asset type
lesson visual
System
Sex, Pollen & Seeds
Alt text prepared
Yes
Knowledge check

Can you explain what the visual is showing?

Practice

Why must the Atlas separate chromosomal sex from ethylene-mediated floral sex expression?

Track this lesson

Mark the lesson complete when you are comfortable with the visual, observations, and system context.

Evidence & further reading

Sources connected to this lesson

These references support specific biological, diagnostic, environmental, or process concepts used in this lesson. They are not a substitute for crop-specific testing or local regulatory guidance.
Peer-reviewed researchNature Communications2026
An X-linked sex determination mechanism in cannabis and hop

Phased Cannabis sex chromosomes, X/Y evolution, and an X-linked ACS/ethylene-pathway mechanism associated with female inflorescence fate; supports chromosome-level context while avoiding one-gene explanations for all sex expression.

System context

Connect this lesson to the whole plant

Staminate and pistillate development, XX/XY chromosome context, early sex-biased regulation, ethylene-mediated sexual plasticity, mixed-sex expression, anther maturation and dehiscence, pollen biology and fitness, pollination, fertilization, seed formation, and controlled crossing.
Open the full Sex, Pollen & Seeds interactive module
Previous lessonSex chromosomes & early gene regulationNext lessonAnther maturity, dehiscence & pollen release