The term "negative tropisms" refers to the movement of an organism away from a particular stimulus. Its correct pronunciation is /ˈnɛɡətɪv ˈtroʊpɪzəmz/. The word "negative" is pronounced as /ˈnɛɡətɪv/, while "tropisms" is pronounced as /ˈtroʊpɪzəmz/. The letter "g" in "negative" is pronounced with a soft "g" sound, while the stress is on the first syllable. In "tropisms," the letter "o" is pronounced as long "o," and the stress is on the first syllable as well.
Negative tropisms refer to the directional growth or movement of an organism or a part of an organism away from an external stimulus. Tropism, in general, describes the response or movement of an organism towards or away from a stimulus, such as light, gravity, or chemicals. Negative tropisms specifically involve a movement or growth in the opposite direction to the stimulus.
In negative phototropism, for example, the growth of a plant or the movement of a plant part, such as a root, is directed away from a source of light. This type of tropism is commonly observed in underground parts of plants like roots, which are generally negatively phototropic in order to grow deeper into the soil where the light intensity is lower.
Similarly, negative gravitropism describes the growth or movement of an organism in the opposite direction to the force of gravity. For instance, the upward growth of shoots or stems is attributed to negative gravitropism. This response enables plants to reach towards the light, which is essential for photosynthesis.
Negative tropisms can also be observed in response to other stimuli, such as chemicals. For instance, some plant roots exhibit negative chemotropism, where they grow away from toxic substances or chemicals present in the soil.
Overall, negative tropisms play a crucial role in allowing organisms to move or grow away from unfavorable stimuli, leading to their successful adaptation and survival in their respective environments.
The word "tropism" originates from the Greek word "tropē" meaning "turning" or "direction". It refers to the movement or growth of an organism in response to a stimulus.
The term "negative tropism" is formed by combining the word "negative" with "tropism". "Negative" in this context means the opposite of positive. Therefore, "negative tropisms" refer to the phenomenon where an organism moves or grows away from a stimulus or in the opposite direction.
For instance, gravitropism is a negative tropism where plants grow against the force of gravity, such as the roots growing downward and shoots growing upward. Phototropism is another example, where plants grow away from light sources and towards shaded areas.