TITLE : PLANT TROPISMS

BACKGROUND INFORMATION :

Tropisms are the means by which plants grow toward or away from environmental
stimuli such as light, gravity, objects to climb, moisture in soil, or the position of the sun.
Although plants appear not to move, they have evolved adaptations to allow movement in
response to various environmental stimuli such mechanisms are called tropisms. There are
several kinds of tropism, each of which is named for the stimulus that causes the response.
For example, gravitropism is a growth response to gravity, and phototropism is a growth
response to unidirectional light. Tropisms are caused by differential growth, meaning that
one side of the responding organ grows faster than the other side of the organ. This differential
growth curves the organ toward or away from the stimulus. Growth of an organ toward an
environmental stimulus is called a positive tropism. For example, stems growing toward
light are positively phototropic. Conversely, growth of an organ away from a stimulus is
called a negative tropism. Roots, which usually grow away from light, are negatively
phototropic. Tropisms begin within thirty minutes after a plant is exposed to the stimulus and
are usually completed within approximately five hours.

Phototropism is a growth response of plants to light coming from one direction.

Positive phototropism of stems results from cells on the shaded side of a stem growing faster
than cells along the illuminated side; as a result, the stem curves toward the light.
Gravitropism is a growth response to gravity. Roots also grow toward wet areas of soil.
Growth of roots toward soil moisture is called hydrotropism. Roots whose caps have been
removed do not grow toward wet soil, suggesting that the root cap is the site of moisture
perception by roots. Hydrotropism is probably controlled by interactions of calcium ions and
hormones such as the auxins.

Auxins is a hormones found in plants. Auxins are mostly made in the tips of the shoots
and roots, and can diffuse to other parts of the shoots or roots. They change the rate of
elongation in plant cells, controlling how long they become. Shoots and roots respond
differently to high concentrations of auxins where cells in shoots grow more and cells in
roots grow less.

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AIM :

To study the response of green bean to stimulus.

PROBLEM STATEMENT :

How the green beans respond to stimulus?

MATERIALS :

Green beans, water and tissue paper.

APPARATUS :

Cardboard, pins, plastic bag, ruler and scissor.

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SET UP OF APPARATUS :

PROCEDURES :

1. A piece of cardboard is measured 10 cm × 5 cm. Then, the cardboard is cut.

2. The cardboard is folded into half so that I have two 5 cm × 5 cm sections.

3. A few layers of tissue papers is attached on the outside surface on one of cardboard
side using staple.

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4. Then, the soaked green beans is attached on the tissue paper by using pins. The
pointed end of the beans on the first row is facing up, while the second rows is facing
down, third row is facing to right and the last row is facing to left.

5. The cardboard is put in a plastic bag and 1⁄4 of the bag is filled with water.

6. After 48-72 hours, the growth of seeds is being observed. The direction of roots and
stem growth is examined.
7. All of the observations is recorded.

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OBSERVATIONS AND ANALYSIS :

Time Observation Analysis

 The seeds started to germinate.

 The roots had grown but shoots
are not started to grow yet
After  All the roots are growing
48 downward because they are
hours respond towards the water at the
bottom of plastic bag.
 It is shown that the roots have a
positive geotropism and
hydrotropism.

 After 72 hours, most the shoots

had grown.
 All of the shots that have grown,
they are growing upwards. It is
After because, the shoots want to get
72 enough of sunlight to carry on
hours photosynthesis.
 It shows that shoots have a
positive phototropism and
negative geotropism and
hydrotropism.

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DISCUSSION :

In this experiment to find out the tropisms of plant, I have observed the plant in 3 days.
The first observation is after 48 hour which is the second day while the second observation is
after 72 hours which is the third day. After 48 hours, I found out that the roots are already
started to grow but the shoots are not grew yet. However, after 72 hours, the shoots started
to grow.

From, all of the observations that I have made, the roots give a positive respond to
hydro and gravity. All of the beans that have their pointed end facing up, facing down, facing
to right and facing to left have a same result where their roots growing downward to get the
water. So, roots are positive hydrotropism and geotropism.

Besides, from the observation, the shoots give a negative respond to hydro and gravity.
All of the beans that have their pointed end facing up, facing down, facing to right and facing
to left have a same result where their shoots growing upward to get enough sunlight. It shows
that shoots give a positive respond to sunlight. So, shoots are negative hydrotropism and
geotropism but positive phototropism.

When I carry out the experiment, a few of precautions have been taken. Firstly, I do
the labels for all the positions of seeds end point to easily recognize them. Apart from that, for
each position I used three seeds so that, if there is a seed that had die, we can observed the
other two seeds.

CONCLUSON :

As the conclusion, shoots are respond toward gravity and water where they are positive
hydrotropism and geotropism. While, roots are respond toward light where they are positive
phototropism.

REFERENCES :

Charlie L, Jacqueline R.S & et.al. (2010). STPM Text Biology. Selangor: Oxford Fajar.

Ching, L. (2011). Pre-U Text STPM Biology Volume2. Selangor: Pearson Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Edgar, T. (2013). Plant Phototropism Experiment. Retrieved from

http://www.education.com/science-fair/article/effect-color-light-phototropism/

Kamaludin Rashid, Kamariah Haron, Mahanom Jalil & Azlina Aziz. (2012). College Biology.
Shah Alam, Selangor: IPTA Publications Sdn. Bhd.