Coordination and response in plants Flashcards
Phototropism
growth response of a plant in response to light
Positive phototropism
grows towards source of light ; shoot
Negative phototropism
grows away from source of light ; roots
Importance of phototropism
causes stems of plants to grow towards light source causing the leaves to also grow towards the light source ; allowing maximum absorption of light for photosynthesis
Gravitropism / geotropism
growth response of a plant in response to gravity
Positive gravitropism
grow in direction of force of gravity, downwards ; roots
Negative gravitropism
grow against force of gravity, upwards ; shoots
Importance of gravitropism
when roots grow downwards, towards gravity, it helps anchor the plant and allows it to obtain water & mineral ions from the soil
Auxin
growth hormone produced by plants
- made in tips of growing stem & roots
- controls growth of plants by promoting cell elongation
Apical meristems
tips of growing stem & root
High concentration of auxin response
- promotes more growth in stems
- reduces growth in roots
Auxin in phototropism
- caused by unequal distribution of auxin
- auxin diffuses to the darker side of the stem when light is shone on it
- causes growth on the illuminated side ; stem bends & grows towards the source of light
Auxin in gravitropism
- caused by unequal distribution of auxin
- auxin will accumulate on lower surface of the root & stem
- reduces growth on lower surface ; upper surface will grow more, causing the root to grow in the direction of gravity