SOMATOTROPISM Meaning and
Definition
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Somatotropism is a biological phenomenon characterized by the directed growth or movement of an organism or its parts towards or away from stimulus associated with physical contact or mechanical forces. It is primarily observed in plants and refers to their ability to respond to changes in physical pressure or mechanical distortion. The term is derived from the combination of the words "somato," meaning body, and "tropism," which signifies a biological response to external stimuli.
Somatotropism plays a crucial role in plant development and adaptation to their environment. It allows plants to respond to mechanical stress, such as wind or touch, by altering the direction or growth pattern of their tissues. This response can help plants to better withstand external pressures, balance their growth, or reorient themselves for optimal exposure to sunlight.
One common example of somatotropism is thigmotropism, a specific form of somatotropism where plant parts respond to mechanical contact. This phenomenon can be observed when tendrils of certain climbing plants wrap around a support structure or when a plant's leaves fold or curl upon being touched.
Overall, the process of somatotropism in plants reflects their remarkable ability to sense and respond to mechanical stimuli, allowing them to optimize their growth and survival in their surroundings.
Common Misspellings for SOMATOTROPISM
- aomatotropism
- zomatotropism
- xomatotropism
- domatotropism
- eomatotropism
- womatotropism
- simatotropism
- skmatotropism
- slmatotropism
- spmatotropism
- s0matotropism
- s9matotropism
- sonatotropism
- sokatotropism
- sojatotropism
- somztotropism
- somstotropism
- somwtotropism
- somqtotropism
- somarotropism
Etymology of SOMATOTROPISM
The word "somatotropism" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "soma" (σῶμα), meaning "body", and "tropism" (τρόπος), which refers to a turning or bending.
The term "somatotropism" specifically relates to the mode of physical growth and development in organisms, and the regulation of this growth. It is commonly used in biology and endocrinology to describe the process of growth hormone regulation and actions in the body.
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