Gravitropism facts for kids

Gravitropism (also known as Geotropism) is a turning or growth movement by a plant, fungus, or animal in response to gravity. It is a general feature of all higher and many lower plants and also in other organisms. Charles Darwin was one of the first people to say that roots grow downward and stems grow upward in response to gravity.

Images for kids

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  Example of gravitropism in a tree from central Minnesota. This tree has fallen over and due to gravitropism exhibits this arched growth.

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  A straight and vertical tree. The shape has been regulated by the gravitropic curvature at the base.

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  In the process of plant roots growing in the direction of gravity by gravitropism, high concentrations of auxin move towards the cells on the bottom side of the root. This suppresses growth on this side, while allowing cell elongation on the top of the root. As a consequence of this, curved growth occurs and the root is directed downwards. Source:

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  In the process of plant shoots growing opposite the direction of gravity by gravitropism, high concentration of auxin moves towards the bottom side of the shoot to initiate cell growth of the bottom cells, while suppressing cell growth on the top of the shoot. This allows the bottom cells of the shoot to continue a curved growth and elongate its cells upward, away from the pull of gravity as the auxin move towards the bottom of the shoot.

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  Banana fruit exhibiting negative geotropism.

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  The compensation reaction of the bending Coprinus stem. C – the compensating part of the stem.

See also

In Spanish: Gravitropismo para niños