Auxins are a class of plant hormones essential for the regulation of growth and various developmental processes. The most prevalent auxin is indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). A crucial structural component shared by auxins is the presence of the -COOH
group, which is a carboxyl group. This group is key to auxin activity as it is involved in binding to receptors and influencing the hormone's function.
Among the options provided, -COOH
is the correct answer, as it is indeed the functional group central to the identity and biological activity of auxins such as IAA.