Tropisms — Introduction

[Bernard NebelKeymaster]

Plants have no obvious sense organs, brain, or nervous system. Yet, as the following responses show, they do sense and respond to: the direction of incoming light, to gravity, and to touch. These responses are collectively referred to as tropisms, respectfully phototropism, geo- or gravitropism, and thigmotropism. View the following videos for a clearer picture of these plant responses, conduct the exercises for yourselves, and discuss each in terms of how it benefits the plant’s survival. (What would happen to the plant if it did not have such capability?)

You are free to pursue further information as to how a plant senses and responds to these stimuli; yet there is still much that is not known and which awaits future investigators.

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