Phototropism (Gr. Phos - Light, Trope - Turn)

Phototropism (Gr. Phos - Light, Trope - Turn)

Phototropism is a directed change in plant growth under the influence of light. This is one of the types of tropisms - growth movements of plants directed towards a favorable (positive tropism) or unfavorable (negative tropism) external stimulus.

Phototropism is manifested in the fact that the stems and leaves of plants bend towards the light source. This allows plants to make the most of light for photosynthesis.

The mechanism of phototropism is the uneven growth of cells. On the illuminated side of the organ, cell growth slows down due to the increased concentration of auxin. On the shadow side, the concentration of auxin is lower, so the cells continue to grow rapidly, which leads to the bending of the organ.

Phototropism plays an important role in plant life, helping them make the most of light for photosynthesis and growth. This is one of the mechanisms by which plants adapt to environmental conditions.