A 'tropism' is a growth in response to a stimulus.

Plants grow towards sources of

water and light, which they need to survive and grow.
Auxin is a plant hormone produced in the stem tips and roots, which controls the
direction of growth. Plant hormones are used in weedkillers, rooting powder and to
control fruit ripening.

Tropisms
The direction of plant growth
Plants need light and water for photosynthesis. They have developed responses
called tropisms to help make sure they grow towards sources of light and water.
There are different types of tropisms:

Positive phototropism in plant stems

Tropism growth in response to a stimulus

Positive tropism towards the stimulus
Negative tropism away from the stimulus
Phototropism growth in response to the direction of light
Geotropism growth in response to the direction of gravity

Responses of different parts of the plant

Response

Part of
plant

Direction of
growth

Advantage

Positive
phototropism

Stem tip

Growth towards
light

To get maximum light for

photosynthesis

Negative
phototropism

Root tip

Growth away from

light

Less chance of drying out

Positive geotropism Root tip

Towards gravity

More chance of finding moisture

Negative
geotropism

Away from gravity

More chance of finding light

Stem tip

Controlling the direction of growth

Auxin is a plant hormone responsible for controlling the direction of growth of root tips
and stem tips in response to different stimuli including light and gravity.
Auxin is made at the tips of stems and roots. It's moved in solution to older parts of the stem
and root where it changes the elasticity of the cells. More elastic cells absorb more water and

grow longer, causing bending in the stem or root. It's thought that light and gravity can
interfere with the transport of auxin causing it to be unevenly distributed.

Auxin experiment

3 groups of seeds are grown in a cardboard box.

A - when the tips are removed, no auxin is made so the stems do not grow
B when the tips are covered, auxin moves to all parts of the stem causing all parts to grow
C - when the tips are lit from one side only auxin accumulates on the shaded side causing it
to grow more than the illuminated side

Uses of plant hormones

Weedkillers
Selective weedkillers kill some plants but not others. This can be useful for getting rid of
dandelions in a lawn without killing the grass, or getting rid of thistles in a field without killing
the wheat plants. The selective weedkiller contains growth hormonethat causes the weeds
to grow too quickly. The weedkiller is absorbed in larger quantities by the weeds than the
beneficial plants.

Rooting powder
Rooting powder makes stem cuttings quickly develop roots. Rooting powder contains growth
hormones.

Controlling fruit ripening

Some hormones slow the ripening of fruits and others speed it up. These hormones and
their inhibitors are useful for delaying ripening during transport or when fruit is displayed
in shops.

Dormancy
Dormancy stops seeds germinating until conditions are ideal for growth. Hormones can be
used to remove the dormancy of a seed so it can germinate at all times of year. Buds and
flowers can also be naturally dormant. Hormones can also be used to make plants grow
bushier, make them flower or control the growth of hedge plants.
Now try a Test Bite

Source: BBC Science

Link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_gateway_pre_2011/living/
controlplantgrowthrev2.shtml