How do tropisms help plants survive?
a
Plants grow together with other plants.
b
Plants grow toward things they need.
c
Plants create their own food using chlorophyll.
d
Plants limit their needs in harsh conditions.
b
Plants grow toward things they need. Tropisms help plants survive by allowing them to orient themselves toward sources of light, water, and nutrients, which are essential for their growth and survival.
bot is right
The correct answer is b) Plants grow toward things they need.
Tropisms are growth movements exhibited by plants in response to different external stimuli. These responses help plants survive by enabling them to adapt to their environment and obtain the resources they need for growth and development. Here's a more detailed explanation:
Plants typically exhibit different types of tropisms, such as phototropism, gravitropism, and geotropism.
1. Phototropism: This is the plant's response to light. Plants have a hormone called auxin that helps regulate their growth. When light is detected by the plant, auxin moves towards the shaded side of the stem or shoot, causing that side to grow more than the side exposed to light. This allows the plant to bend and grow toward the light source, ensuring maximum exposure for photosynthesis.
2. Gravitropism: This is the plant's response to gravity. The roots exhibit positive gravitropism, meaning they grow towards gravity and help anchor the plant in the soil. The shoots exhibit negative gravitropism, growing against gravity towards the light. By growing against gravity, the plant can position its leaves for optimal light absorption and maximize photosynthesis.
3. Geotropism: This is the plant's response to the earth's gravitational pull. When a seed is planted, the shoot grows upward (negative geotropism) towards the light, while the root grows downward (positive geotropism) towards the soil. This allows the plant to establish a stable root system for absorption of water and nutrients, while also ensuring proper positioning of the leaves for photosynthesis.
By exhibiting these tropisms, plants can actively respond and adapt to their environment. They can position themselves towards light to maximize energy absorption, ensuring sufficient photosynthesis takes place. Additionally, they can establish a strong root system for nutrient and water uptake, allowing them to thrive and survive in various conditions. Therefore, tropisms play an essential role in helping plants survive and flourish.