PLANT LIFE: TROPISMS

Tropisms are the means by which plants grow toward or away from environmental stimuli such
as light, gravity, objects to climb, moisture in soil, or the position of the sun. Although plants
appear not to move, they have evolved adaptations to allow movement in response to various
environmental stimuli; such mechanisms are called tropisms.

Phototropism
Phototropism is a growth response of plants to light coming from one direction. Positive
phototropism of stems results from cells on the shaded side of a stem growing faster than cells along
the illuminated side; as a result, the stem curves
toward the light. The rapid elongation of cells
along the shaded side of a stem is controlled by a
plant hormone called auxin that is synthesized at
the stem’s apex.

Unidirectional light causes the auxin to move to

the shaded side of stems. The increased amount of
auxin on the shaded side of stems causes cells
there to elongate more rapidly than cells on the
lighted side of the stem. This, in turn, causes
curvature toward the light.

Only blue light having a wave length of less than

500 nanometers can induce phototropism. The
photoreceptors in this system are called cryprochromes and may alter the transport of auxin across
cellular membranes, thereby facilitating its transport to the shaded side of the stem.

Phototropism is important for two main reasons: It increases the probability of stems and leaves
intercepting light for photosynthesis and of roots obtaining water and dissolved minerals that they
need.

Gravitropism

Gravitropism is a growth response to gravity. The

positive gravitropism of roots involves the root cap, a
tiny, thimble-shaped organ approximately 0.5
millimeter long that covers the tip of roots. Decapped
roots grow but do not respond to gravity, indicating
that the root cap is necessary for root gravitropism.

Gravity-perceiving cells, called columella cells, are

located in the center of the root cap. Each columella
cell contains fifteen to twenty-five amyloplasts (starch-
filled plastids) which, under the influence of gravity,
sediment to the lower side of columella cells.
This gravity-dependent sedimentation of amyloplasts is the means where by roots sense gravity,
possibly by generating electrical currents across the root tip. These gravity induced changes are then
transmitted to the root’s elongating zone, located 3 to 6 millimeters behind the root cap. The
differential growth that causes curvature occurs in the elongating zone.

Thigmotropism
Thigmotropism is a growth response of plants to
touch. The most common example of thigmotropism is
the coiling exhibited by specialized organs called
tendrils. Tendrils are common on twining plants such as
morning glory and bindweed. Prior to touching an
object, tendrils often growin a spiral.

This type of growth is called circumnutation, and it

increases the tendril’s chances of touching an object to
which it can cling. Contact with an object is perceived
by specialized epidermal cells on the tendril.

When the tendril touches an object, these epidermal

cells control the differential growth of the tendril. This
differential growth can result in the tendril completely
circling the object within five to ten minutes.
Thigmotropism is often long-lasting.

Hydrotropism

Roots also grow toward wet areas of soil. Growth of roots toward soil moisture is called hydrotropism.
Roots whose caps have been removed do not grow toward wet soil, suggesting that the root cap is the
site of moisture perception by roots. Hydrotropism is probably controlled by interactions of calcium ions
and hormones such as the auxins.

Heliotropism
Heliotropism, or “solar tracking,” is the process by which plants’ organs track the relative position of
the sun across the sky, much like a radio telescope tracks stars or satellites.

Different plants have different types of heliotropism. The “compass” plants (Lactuca serriola and
Silphium laciniatum) that grow in deserts orient their leaves parallel to the sun’s rays, thereby
decreasing leaf temperature and minimizing desiccation.

Plants that grow in wetter regions often orient their leaves perpendicular to the sun’s rays, thereby
increasing the amount of light intercepted by the leaf. Heliotropism occurs in many plants, including
cotton, alfalfa, and beans. Sunflowers get their name from the fact that the flowers follow the sun
across the sky.
On cloudy days, leaves of many heliotropic plants become oriented horizontally in a resting position.
If the sun appears from behind the clouds late in the day, leaves rapidly reorient them selves they can
move up to 60 degrees in an hour, which is four times more rapid than the movement of the sun across
the sky. Heliotropism is controlled by many factors, including auxins.