Thigmotropism
(Redirected from Haptotropism)
Thigmotropism is a directional growth movement which occurs as a response to a touch stimulus. This phenomenon is observed in various plant species and is a type of tropism, which is a growth response to an environmental stimulus. Thigmotropism is particularly important for climbing plants and vines, which use it to find and attach to supports.
Mechanism[edit | edit source]
Thigmotropism involves the differential growth of plant cells in response to physical contact. When a plant's tendril or stem comes into contact with an object, the cells on the side of the contact grow slower than the cells on the opposite side. This differential growth causes the plant to bend towards the object. The process is regulated by plant hormones such as auxins and ethylene.
Examples[edit | edit source]
One of the most well-known examples of thigmotropism is the behavior of climbing plants like vines and ivy. These plants have specialized structures called tendrils that wrap around objects they touch, allowing the plant to climb and gain better access to sunlight. Another example is the Mimosa pudica, a plant that exhibits rapid thigmotropic movements when touched, causing its leaves to fold inward.
Importance[edit | edit source]
Thigmotropism is crucial for the survival of many climbing plants. By enabling these plants to attach to supports, thigmotropism allows them to reach greater heights and access more sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis. This growth response also helps plants avoid shading by neighboring plants, thereby reducing competition for light.
Research[edit | edit source]
Research into thigmotropism has provided insights into the complex signaling pathways and hormonal controls involved in plant growth responses. Studies have shown that mechanical stimulation can lead to changes in gene expression, which in turn affects cell growth and differentiation.
Related Topics[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD