Tropism (Noun)
Meaning
An involuntary orienting response; positive or negative reaction to a stimulus source.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- Plants exhibit phototropism by growing their stems towards sunlight, a fundamental process for photosynthesis and growth.
- The seedling's gravitropism allowed it to grow its roots downward into the soil despite being planted at an angle.
- Thigmotropism is observed in the way a tendril of a climbing plant wraps itself around a nearby object for support.
- Heliotropism is the reason why sunflowers turn their flower heads to face the sun throughout the day.
- In humans, a negative thermotropism can be seen in the way people move away from extreme heat sources to avoid discomfort.