PLANT MOVEMENTS

There are two types of movements in plants.

i) Tropic Movements ii)Nastic movements

TROPIC MOVEMENTS - Directional movement in response to an external

stimulus. (Towards or away the stimulus).If the growth is towards the direction of
the stimulus it is called positive tropism and away from the direction of stimulus,
it is called negative tropism.

Types of Tropisms

1. Phototropism-If the movement is in response to light, it is called phototropism.

Shoot of the plant show positive phototropism and roots show negative tropism.
(Refer the activity 7.2 [fig 7.5 and 7.6] given in the text book-very important)

2. Geotropism (Gravitotropism)-Movement towards gravity .Roots show positive

geotropism and stem shows negative geotropism.

3. Chemotropism-Curvature movements in response to chemical stimuli. For

example the pollen grains advances through the style and reaches the ovules
present in the ovary under the influence of chemicals secreted by them.

4. Hydrotropism – It is a type of movement where the stimulus producing

curvature is water .Eg. Roots move towards the soil.

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5. Thigmotropism – It is a curvature movement which is produced in response to
the stimulus of contact or friction with some object. Eg, tendrils help the weak
stem to climb up on some support.

6. Thermotropism - Curvature movement in response to temperature. Eg. Curling

of Rhodendron leaves in response to cold temperature.

NASTIC MOVEMENTS - Non directional movements of plants .Eg. Drooping

and folding of mimosa leaves when touched.

Types of Nastic movements

1. Photonasty- The opening and closing of the flowers due to the change in light
intensity is known as photonasty.

2. Thermonasty- These are sleepy movements shown by many plants because of

change in temperature.

1. What causes the drooping and folding of leaves in mimosa?

When mimosa plant is touched, movement occurs at a point different from the
point of touch. This information of touch is transferred from cell to cell by electro-
chemical means. Also, in plants movement occurs due to change in shape of cells.
But plant cell lack specialized contractile proteins. Plant cells change shape by
changing the amount of water in them resulting in swelling or shrinking and
therefore in changing shape.

2. What causes a tendril to encircle or coil around the object in contact with it
is? Explain the process involved.

When tendril comes in contact with any support the part of tendril comes in contact
with the object does not grow rapidly as the part of the tendril away from the
object. These cause the tendril to circle around the object and thus cling to it.

3. Which hormone and how does it help to bend towards the light?

When growing plants detect light, a hormone called auxin synthesized at the shoot
tip, helps the cell to grow longer. When light is coming from one side of the plant,
auxin diffuses towards the shady side of the shoot. This concentration of auxin

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stimulates the cell to grow longer on the side of the shoot away from the light.
Thus the plant appears to bend towards light.

PHYTOHORMONES

Plants do not have a nervous system. Coordination in plants takes place by means
of chemical substances called plant growth substances or regulators or
phytohormones. These are chemicals produced in plant cells on receiving a
specific stimulus. They are synthesized in one part of the body of the plant and
transported through the plant body to the site of their action. The naturally
occurring plant growth regulators are: Auxins, Gibberllins, Cytokinins,
Ethylene, and Abscisic Acid (ABA)

AUXINS:-Plant hormones which control the direction of the growth of the plant
root and shoot tips in response to various stimuli.

FUNCTIONS/PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

1. Root formation –Accelerates root formation.

2. Storage-Increase the period of dormancy (Resting period) in tubers, bulbs etc.

3. Flower formation-Helps in flowering, fertilization and fruit development.

4. Parthenocarpy-Seedless fruits can be produced without pollination or

fertilization.

GIBBERLINS :- Unique property-Increase height.

1. Stem Elongation

2. Germination of seeds-It controls Germination.

3. Early sprouting-stem tubers having long dormancy can be made to sprout.

(Breaking of dormancy)

4. Parthenocarpy-It induces parthenocarpy (Process of producing seedless fruit

without fertilization or pollination)
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5. Sex Expression-It promotes the formation of male flowers. (Cucurbits,
Cannabis)

CYTOKININS :-( KINETIN)

1. Cell growth-Helps in cell division, cell expansion and differentiation. It

promotes the growth of lateral buds (Auxin-Promotes the growth of apical bud)

2. Aging-It inhibits aging or delay senescence.

ETHYLENE:-Gaseous growth regulator.

1. Ripening of fruits and also helps in flowering (pine apple)

2. Abscission-Stimulates abscission of leaves, fruits and flowers.(falling off)

3. Senescence-Induces yellowing of leaves and downward bending.

4. Breaking of dormancy

ABSCISIC ACID:-

1. Retards growth

2. Promotes leaf and fruit fall

3. Dormancy of seeds, tubers and bulbs.

4. Aging of leaves.

ENDOCRINE GLANDS AND HORMONES IN HUMANS

In the human body two types of glands are found-

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EXOCRINE GLANDS-Trans port their secretions through ducts or tubes to the
site where they carry out a specific function Eg. Salivary Glands tear glands and
sweat glands.

ENDOCRINE GLANDS-Lack ducts or tubes and so called ductless glands. The

secretions of theses glands are called hormones.

Hormones:-These are special chemical secretions secreted by the endocrine glands

which are then carried to the target organs by the blood circulation. They are
secreted in very minute quantities. They regulate the physiological processes.

PITUITARY GLAND - Master Gland. The anterior lobe of pituitary gland

secretes hormones which stimulates the functions of other endocrine glands.
(Tropic hormones)

1. Growth hormone (GH) - It controls the growth of the body.

Over secretion-Gigantism

Deficiency –Dwarfism

2. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)-Stimulates the activity of thyroid gland.

3. Follicle stimulating Hormone (FSH)-Promote the growth of ovarian follicles

in females and sperms in males. It also affects the release of estrogen and
progesterone.

4. Lutenizing Hormone (LH)-Stimulates the release of ovum and secretion of

progesterone.

5. Interstitial cells Stimulating Hormone (ICSH)-Stimulates the interstitial cells

of testis to secrete testosterone.

6. Prolactin-Effects the mammary glands to initiate milk secretion.

Posterior lobes secretes-

1. Oxytocin-Stimulates contraction of smooth muscles of uterus during child birth.

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2. Vasopressin/Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)-Helps in water absorption by the
tubules in kidneys.

PINEAL GLAND:-It is located near to the pituitary.

1. Melatonin hormone –Delays sexual development and promotes sleeping.

THYROID GLAND:-Two lobes placed on either side of the trachea in the neck
region. It secretes:

1. Thyroxine Hormone-Controls metabolic activities and oxidation processes

Hypo secretion causes-

i. Simple Goitre-Enlargement of the thyroid.

Ii.Cretinism- Mental retardation

Iii.Myxoedema - Sluggish and swelling on face and hands.

Hyper secretion causes- Exophthalmic goitre – Restlessness, eyeballs protrude

out, shortness of breath.

2. Calcitonin-Controls the levels of calcium ions.

PARATHYROID GLAND:-

1. Parathormone-controls and regulates the amount of calcium in the blood, bones

and affects the growth of bones, muscular contraction and activity of the nerves.

THYMUS GLAND - Secretes Thymosin-activates immune response and

production of antibodies.

PANCREAS - Acts as endocrine and exocrine gland.

Exocrine part secretes digestive enzymes.

Endocrine part consists of group of cells called ISLETS OF LANGERHANS

which secretes:

1. Insulin – regulates sugar Hypo secretion - Diabetes mellitus.

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2. Glucagon-Stimulates the release of glucose from the liver and muscles cells into
the blood stream.

ADRENAL GLANDS-Consists of two parts-Cortex and Medulla (located above

the kidney as a cap).

Adrenal cortex secretes-Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids (regulates the

balance of salt and water)

Adrenal Medulla secretes-

1. Adrenalin –Prepares the individual to meet emergency situation, rise in blood

pressure, rapid heartbeat. (Stress hormone/Flight and Fight Hormone)

2. Noradrenalin-Constriction of blood vessels resulting in high blood pressure.

GONADS-OVARIES and TESTES

Ovaries secrete:

1. Estrogen-Promotes secondary sexual characteristics.

2. Progesterone- Prepares uterus to receive the egg.

Testes: Interstitial cells of the testes produce male hormone:

Androgen and testosterone- Secondary sexual characteristics

(Adrenal virulism-Male hormones in females)

FEED BACK MECHANISM

Hormones are released from the endocrine gland in required amount. For eg. If
Insulin is secreted in less quantity, there will be an increase in the sugar level
which leads to diabetes. If excess hormones are released, it leads to coma or even
death. So a feedback mechanism is existing in our body which has two opposing
system that are antagonistic one another. For eg- If sugar level in blood rises it is
detected by the pancreas which respond by releasing more insulin to maintain the

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sugar level. If the blood sugar falls the production and secretion of insulin is
reduced. The release of insulin is inhibited by noradrenaline hormone.

REFER ACTIVITY FROM THE TEXT BOOK

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