Ethene - GCSE Biology Definition

Ethene, also known as ethylene, is a simple organic molecule that is important in both plant biology and industry. It is a gas made up of two carbon atoms and four hydrogen atoms, with the formula C2H4. In biology, ethene is a plant hormone that helps control growth and development, such as ripening fruit and shedding leaves. For example, when fruits are stored, they sometimes release ethene to make other fruits ripen quicker. This makes ethene crucial for understanding plant processes and how we manage food ripening in agriculture and supermarkets.