Tropisms in Plants

LO
Be able to explain how phototropism and
gravitropism help plants to grow.
 What Is A Tropism
• A response to a stimulus in the environment.
Usually involves a change in the direction of
growth.
• Can be positive (towards) or negative (away
from).
• Phototropism is a response to light.
• Gravitropism is a response to gravity.
• Different parts of the same plant can have
opposite tropisms.
 Plant Hormones
• Plants produce hormones to control growth
(similar to humans)
• Auxins are a type of plant hormone.
• Auxins alter the growth of plant cells.
• When plants grow their cells get longer
(elongate) and get wider (expand). This is
different to animals who often just grow more
cells. This is because of plant cells having a cell
wall.
Phototropism
Gravitropism
 Other Hormones
• Gibberellins – make seeds germinate and produce
flowers.
Stimulus Response Benefit Commercial
Application
Cold/lack of water Bolting – this is Seeds are produced Speeds up plant
when the plant quickly so the breeding or
produces flowers species survives increases harvest
quickly
Presence of water Embryo in seed Only germinating Brewing – the
releases gibberellins when water is production of malt
and amylase is present increases
made. Starch is chance of survival
converted into
maltose for
respiration
 Other Hormones
• Ethene – causes ripening of fruit.
• Can be sprayed on crops to cause ripening.
• Can be removed to preserve fruit.

• Auxins – stimulate growth

• Used in rooting powder for taking cuttings