STEREOTROPISM Meaning and
Definition
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Stereotropism is a biological phenomenon that refers to the movement or orientation of an organism or a part of an organism in response to a specific stimulus or external factor in a stereotyped manner. It is a type of tropism, which is a growth or movement response of a living organism to a specific environmental stimulus.
In stereotropism, the organism exhibits a predictable and consistent pattern of movement or orientation in response to the stimulus. This response is often innate and predetermined by the organism's genetic makeup and developmental processes.
The stimulus that triggers stereotropism can vary depending on the organism or the specific behavior being observed. It could be a light source, gravity, heat, chemicals, touch, or even sounds. For example, the phototropic movement of plants, where they bend towards the direction of light, is a form of stereotropism.
Stereotropism plays a significant role in the survival and reproductive success of organisms. It enables them to adapt and respond appropriately to their environment, facilitating processes such as finding food, avoiding predators, seeking mates, or enhancing photosynthesis in plants.
Overall, stereotropism is a concept used in biology to explain the instinctive and predictable movements or orientations exhibited by living organisms in response to specific external stimuli.
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Growth or movement of a plant or animal toward (positive s.) or away from (negative s.) a solid body.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for STEREOTROPISM
- atereotropism
- ztereotropism
- xtereotropism
- dtereotropism
- etereotropism
- wtereotropism
- srereotropism
- sfereotropism
- sgereotropism
- syereotropism
- s6ereotropism
- s5ereotropism
- stwreotropism
- stsreotropism
- stdreotropism
- strreotropism
- st4reotropism
- st3reotropism
- steeeotropism
- stedeotropism
Etymology of STEREOTROPISM
The word "stereotropism" is derived from two main components: "stereo" and "tropism".
1. "Stereo": This comes from the Greek word "stereos", meaning solid or three-dimensional. It is commonly used in English to denote something relating to three-dimensionality or solidness. In different contexts, "stereo" can also refer to sound systems or the perception of depth in visual media.
2. "Tropism": This term comes from the Greek word "tropos", meaning turning or change. In biology, a tropism refers to the growth or movement of a living organism in response to a stimulus, such as light or gravity. It is a directional response exhibited by plants or organisms.
Combining these two constituents, "stereotropism" refers to the phenomenon of the growth or movement of a living organism towards or in response to a three-dimensional stimulus.
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