Thigmotropism In Tendrils

Thigmotropism is the directional response of a plant organ to touch or physical

contact with solid object. This directional response is generally caused by induction
of some pattern of differential growth. This phenomenon is clearly illustrated by the
climbing tendrils of some plants, such as the sweet pea. The tendrils actually “feel”
the solid object, which results in the coiling response.

So plants actually have a sense of touch?

Yes. In fact, some plants are actually much more sensitive to touch than human
beings! For example, human skin can minimally detect a thread weighing 0.002mg
being drawn across it. However, a feeding tentacle of the insectivorous sundew
plant responds to a thread of 0.0008 mg, and a climbing tendril of Sicyos actually
responds to a thread weighing just 0.00025mg! Therefore, some plants have a sense
of touch which is nearly 10 times as sensitive as human skin!
What Parts of the Plant Can
Respond to Touch?
The clearest example of thigmotropism is the coiling that occurs in some tendrils.
However, roots also depend on touch sensitivity to navigate their way through the
soil. The general touch response in roots is negative. That is, when a root "feels" an
object, the root grows away from the object. In comparison, most tendrils grow
toward the touch stimulus, allowing for the tendril to wrap around the object which
it is in contact with.
Therefore, roots are said to be "negatively thigmotropic". This allows the roots to
follow the line of least resistance through the soil. In addition to thigmotropic
responses, roots (as well as other organs) are known to grow in response to gravity.
This "gravitopism" allows the roots to grow in the direction of gravity, which is down
into the earth. Interestingly, thigmotropism seems capable of overriding the strong
graviptropic responses of even primary roots. Gravitropism overrides thigmotropism
in horizontally oriented roots. This interaction, or "cross-talk" between
thigmotropism and gravitropism likely regulates the path finding of roots, but
significant studies on the nature of this interaction have yet to be performed.

How Do Tendrils Actually Curve?

In general, tendrils are able to curve by employing a process known as "differential
growth". This process involves the stimulation of growth in particular regions of the
tendril. In positive thigmotropism, for example, the side of the tendril which is
opposite to the side of contact will grow at a faster rate than the contact side. In
some cases, the cells on the contact side will actually compress, which enhances the
curving response. Therefore, the non-contact side begins to elongate faster than the
rest of the tendril, while the contact side actually compresses. This causes the
tendril to curve toward the site of contact.
In addition to differential growth, some tendrils exhibit a type of coiling response
which is referred to as "rapid contact-coiling". This type of response is, as the name
suggests, very rapid. It is caused by changes in cell turgor which alter the shape of
the tendril, causing it to curve. The cells on the non-contact side of the tendril
expand, while the cells on the contact side contract, similar to the differential
growth patterns in the animation above. Therefore, the rapid contact-coiling
response is a rapid initial response, while differential growth is a somewhat slower,
but more "permanent" response.

EXPERIMENT
Objective
The objective of this plant biology project is to investigate the response of a plant's
tendrils to touch.
Materials and Equipment
• Seeds
• Small pots
• Potting soil
• Permanent marker
• Masking tape
• Pencils for smaller plants
• Stopwatch
• Lab notebook

Growing the Plants

1. Plant two morning glory seeds in a small pot. First put about 3 inches of potting
soil into the pot. Form a hole and place the seeds in the hole. Then cover them with
about 1–2 more inches of potting soil.
2. Water the seeds regularly and keep the pots in a warm area, out of the direct
sunlight.
3. Record the date, the time, the common and scientific name of the plant.

4. It will take up to three weeks for the plant to grow and form tendrils.

Observing Tendril Response to a Solid

Support
1. When the plants have produced several tendrils, insert a pencil into the soil near
one of the tendrils.
a. Place the pencil in the pot so that it is touching the tendril.
b. Arrange the tendril and support so that the middle of the tendril is in direct
contact with the support.
c. Gently secure the stem of the plant to the pencil with a little piece of tape so that
the tendrils are in contact with the pencil.
2. Repeat step 1 for two more tendrils.
3. Observe the tendrils for the next 24 hours, as each first touches the pencil, and
then as it curls around the pencil.
a. Keep a record of your observations, including times, in the lab notebook.
OBSERVATION

Experimenting with Stimuli

Now that we have healthy plant with tendrils, experiment with the stimuli that
result in the tendrils starting to curl. Specifically, investigate how the frequency of
physical contact affects curling. To stimulate curling in the tendrils, first mark a
region on tendrils with a permanent marker. Then touch them at different times,
with a pencil, and record their response to touch.
1. Mark one spot on few tendrils with a permanent marker, as follows.
a. Mark each tendril in approximately the same region; for example, near the
middle of the tendril.
b. The mark should be about 1 cm long.
2. Keep track of each of the tendrils.
3. Pick three tendrils that will not be marked with the permanent marker. These
tendrils will be the negative controls. These tendrils should not touch the pencil or
any other solid object.
4. Touch (always with the pencil and always timing with the stopwatch) tendrils 1–
12 at different times of the day, as follows:
a. Tendrils 1, 2, and 3: One time per day for 30 seconds in the morning.
b. Tendrils 4, 5, and 6: Three times per day, for 30 seconds each time, in the
morning, afternoon, and at night.
c. Tendrils 7, 8, and 9: Six times per day for 30 seconds. Six times over the course of
the day.
d. Tendrils 10, 11, 12: These tendrils should be in constant contact with a support,
such as a pencil, as they were in the previous section.
e. Tendrils 13, 14, and 15: These tendrils receive no stimulus.
5. Record the time it takes for the tendrils to start curling.
6. Record the degree of curl—such as 90 degrees, one full rotation, two full
rotations, etc.—in the lab notebook

OBSERVATION
CONCLUSION:
Thigmotropism is very complex! However, consider that the initial signal must be
generated by an action potential. This action potential leads to the establishment of
an ionic gradient, which results in increased turgidity in the non-contact side cells,
and decreased turgidity in the contact-side cells. This process allows for the initial,
rapid bending of the tendril. This rapid bending is then followed by a slower process
of differential growth. Jasmonate production may then be increased, which would
promote growth in the non-contact side cells. In addition, up regulation of the TCH
genes may act in concert with the jasmonates to induce cell growth. Although there
are "missing links" in this mechanism which we have not yet uncovered, further
research may elucidate the entire mechanism. Studies which focus on the regulation
of the TCH genes may prove invaluable in determining how certain areas of the
tendril grow at a faster rate than others in response to touch.

Reference
• http://biology.kenyon.edu/edwards/project/steffan/b45sv.htm
• http://plantsinaction.science.uq.edu.au/edition1/?q=content/8-2-2-
thigmotropism
 ACADEMIC YEAR : 2023-24

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT BIOLOGY

THIGMOTROPISM IN TENDRILS

Mr. MANJEET SINGH RATHORE Cdt. DAKSH SHARMA (5647)

 CERTIFICATE

• TO WHOM SO EVER IT MAY

CONCERN
• This is to certify that Cdt.
DAKSH(5647) is a student of class
XIIth B of Sainik School Chittorgarh
for the academic year 2023 – 2024
• Had worked on the project TO STUDY
AND DEMONSTRATE THE
THIGMOTROPISM IN
TENDRILS under my supervision.
• During this period he was found to be
sincere and hardworking.

Signature of examiner………
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
• It is customary for me to acknowledge the
contributions and suggestions received from various
sources .
• First of all I would like to thank God almighty for
giving Me wisdom and knowledge to showcase my
talent.
• I wish to acknowledge the tremendous amount of
help received from my BIOLOGY teacher Mr.
MANJEET SINGH RATHORE , without whose help and
encouragement it would not have been possible for
me to complete this project.
• I wish to express my gratitude to all non- teaching
staff who helped me to complete my project.
• Whatever words I choose can not express my
deep sense of gratitude towards my parents for their
constant understanding, assistance, inspiration and
moral support for completing this project.
• I would also like to acknowledge my thanks to
friends for their valuable suggestions and timely
help.
 INDEX

 INTRODUCTION

 WHAT PART OF THE PLANT CAN RESPOND TO

TOUCH

 HOW DO TENDRILS ACTUALLY CURVE

 EXPERIMENT

 OBSERVING TENDRILS RESPONSE TO A SOLID

SUPPORT

 OBSERVATION

 CONCLUSION

 REFERENCE