Tropism (Gr. Trope - Turn)

Tropism (Gr. Trope - Turn)

Tropism is a growth reaction in a stationary organism caused by external influences.

Tropisms are one of the forms of directed growth and movement of organisms under the influence of external stimuli. Examples of tropisms include phototropism (reaction to light), geotropism (reaction to gravity), chemotropism (reaction to chemicals) and others.

Tropisms are characteristic of plants, fungi, some bacteria and protozoa. Plants exhibit pronounced tropisms - for example, stem growth upward (positive geotropism), root growth downward (negative geotropism), etc. Tropisms allow these organisms to respond to external stimuli despite their sedentary lifestyle.

Thus, tropisms play an important role in the life of plants and other organisms, helping them to optimally locate themselves in space for growth and development.