Tropism

Phycomyces, a fungus, exhibiting phototropism

A tropism (from Greek , tropos, "a turning") is a biological phenomenon, indicating
growth or turning movement of a biological organism, usually a plant, in response to an
environmental stimulus. In tropisms, this response is dependent on the direction of the stimulus
(as opposed to nastic movements which are non-directional responses). Viruses and other
pathogens also affect what is called "host tropism", "tissue tropism", or "cell tropism", or in
which case tropism refers to the way in which different viruses/pathogens have evolved to
preferentially target specific host species, specific tissue, or specific cell types within those
species. Tropisms are usually named for the stimulus involved (for example, a phototropismis a
reaction to sunlight) and may be either positive (towards the stimulus) ornegative (away from the
stimulus).
Tropisms are typically associated with plants (although not necessarily restricted to them).
[a]
Where an organism is capable of directed physical movement (motility), movement or activity
in response to a specific stimulus is more likely to be regarded by behaviorists as
a taxis (directional response) or a kinesis (non-directional response).
In English, the word tropism is used to indicate an action done without cognitive thought:
However, "tropism" in this sense has a proper, although non-scientific, meaning as an innate
tendency, natural inclination, or propensity to act in a certain manner.
In botany, the CholodnyWent model, proposed in 1927, is an early model describing tropism in
emerging shoots ofmonocotyledons, including the tendencies for the stalk to grow towards light
(phototropism) and the roots to grow downward (gravitropism). In both cases the directional
growth is considered to be due to asymmetrical distribution of auxin, a plant growth hormone.[1]
Types[edit]

Example of gravitropism in the remains of a cellar of a Roman villa in the Archeologic Park
in Baia, Italy

Chemotropism, movement or growth in response to chemicals

Geotropism (or gravitropism), movement or growth in response to gravity

Heliotropism, diurnal motion or seasonal motion of plant parts in response to the

direction of the sun, (e.g. the sunflower)

Hydrotropism, movement or growth in response to water

Phototropism, movement or growth in response to lights or colors of light

Thermotropism, movement or growth in response to temperature

Electrotropism, movement or growth in response to an electric field

Thigmotropism, movement or growth in response to touch or contact

Exotropism, continuation of growth "outward," i.e. in the previously established direction

Ecotropism, limited host range (e.g. infects only one species or cell type)

Amphotropism, wide host range (e.g. infects many of entry into cells used by a
given strain of HIV)

Neurotropism, a virus that preferentially infects the host's nervous system

Photoperiodism, is response to seasons

also see[edit]

Chemotaxis

Rapid plant movement

References[edit]
Wikimedia Commons
has media related
to Tropism.
Look up tropism in
Wiktionary, the free
dictionary.
Notes
1. Jump up^ For example, some cells may not be conducive for the growth of
a virus, which determines its tropism. The stimulus of light on insects may also be
seen as a type ofethological tropism.
Sources
1. Jump up^ Haga, Ken; Takano, Makoto; Neumann, Ralf; Iino, Moritoshi (January
1, 2005). "The Rice COLEOPTILE PHOTOTROPISM1 Gene Encoding an
Ortholog of Arabidopsis NPH3 Is Required for Phototropism of Coleoptiles and
Lateral Translocation of Auxin(W)". Plant Cell. doi:10.1105/tpc.104.028357.
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