phototropism

[ foh-to-truh-piz-uh m, foh-toh-troh-piz-uh m ]
/ foʊˈtɒ trəˌpɪz əm, ˌfoʊ toʊˈtroʊ pɪz əm /

noun Botany.

phototropic tendency or growth.

Origin of phototropism

First recorded in 1895–1900; photo- + -tropism

Words nearby phototropism

phototoxin, phototransistor, phototroph, phototrophic bacteria, phototropic, phototropism, phototropy, phototube, phototype, phototypeset, phototypesetting

British Dictionary definitions for phototropism

phototropism
/ (ˌfəʊtəʊˈtrəʊpɪzəm) /

noun

the growth response of plant parts to the stimulus of light, producing a bending towards the light source
the response of animals to light; phototaxis

Derived forms of phototropism

phototropic, adjective

Medical definitions for phototropism

phototropism
[ fō-tŏt′rə-pĭz′əm ]

n.

Growth or movement of a sessile organism toward or away from a source of light.

Other words from phototropism

pho′to•tro′pic (fō′tə-trō′pĭk, -trŏp′ĭk) adj.

Scientific definitions for phototropism

phototropism
[ fō-tŏt′rə-pĭz′əm ]

The growth or movement of a fixed organism toward or away from light. In plants, phototropism is a response to blue wavelengths of light and is caused by a redistribution of auxin from the illuminated side to the darker side of the shoot, resulting in quicker growth on the darker side and bending of the shoot toward the source of light. Certain sessile invertebrates also exhibit phototropism.