Response to the touch
:- Thigmotropism
Today we are going to discuss about directional response of plants to the touch of an object.
What is tropisms ?
Before we start we should know about tropism and its types.
Tropisms is defined as a growth movement of any part of plant in response to an external stimulus.
Tropisms is also known as tropic movements.
Types of tropisms with examples
There are five main types of tropisms.
1. Phototropism
Here plants responses to light.
Eg :- The stem of the plant which is kept near a window bend towards sunlight coming from outside.
2. Geotropism
Here plants responses to gravity.
Eg :- The roots of plants grow downwards.
3. Chemotropism
Here plants responses to chemical
Eg :- The growth of pollen tube towards the ovule during the fertilisation.
4. Hydrotropism
Here plants responses to water.
Eg :- The roots of plants always move towards water.
5. Thigmotropism
Here plants responses to touch.
Eg :- Mainy plant tendrils always grow towards any solid support.
Thigmotropism ?
Now we are going to discuss about thigmotropism, examples of thigmotropism and positive thigmotropism.
Introduction to thigmotropism.
There are many plants, which are also known as climbing plants,they usually have weak stems that’s why they can’t stand upright or erect by their own.
So, to overcome this problem plants evolved and they grows a climbing organ, which is also known as tendrils.
Tendrils are thread like growth on stems.
Tendrils quickly respond to touch or contact.
Tendrils have cells which can sense contact with other objects.
What is thigmotropism ?
Thigmotropism is defined as the growth and movement of plant part in response to touch of any object or support.
Examples of Thigmotropism
When the tendril of plant responses a touch by winding in it, this movement of winding is an example of thigmotropism.
How tendrils shows thigmotropism
Tendrils have some specialised cells which can sense or detect their contact with solid objects or we can say a support like a wooden stick or the sten, leaves of another plant.
So, when a tendril of a plant touches a solid object, then the tendril twist around the object and shows growth.
Positive thigmotropism
When plant response stimulus by responding towards the direction of stimulus.
Tendrils shows positive thigmotropism.
When, a tendril came in a contact of an object then it twist around it and show growth towards it.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions.
1. How does thigmotropism helps plant ?
Thigmotropism is usually a response of plants towards touch.
Thigmotropism helps plants by helping them to grow properly and in a healthy manner.
2. Can thigmotropism occur quickly ?
No thigmotropism is a slow response of plants .
We, can observe it by watching the growth of a climber plant such as pea plant.
3. What is difference between thigmotropism
and thigmonasty ?
Thigmonasty is defined as the form of a nastic movement in plant, while thigmotropism is a directional response of a plant to a touch of an object or a support
4. What is the stimulus is case of
thigmotropism ?
Thigmotropism is a response to a touch so, here touch is stimulus.
5. What is the meaning of tendrils ?
Tendrils are the modified structure of leaf or stem which helps climbers to climb.
6. What is the role of auxin in thigmotropism
Here auxin plays an important role by helping climbers and their tendrils to grow. Growth of tendrils helps plant to grow very well.
7. What is the difference between stem
tendril and leaf tendril ?
The main difference between stem tendril and leaf tendril is that, tendrils which grow from stem are called stem tendrils and tendrils which grow from leaf are called leaf tendrils
