Phototropism
The growth of a plant in response to light direction—typically bending toward light (positive phototropism) to maximize photosynthesis. One of the most visible plant behaviors.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 2 chapters:
"Book 4, Chapter 4: Phototropism - Growing Toward Resources Part 1: The Biology of Directional Growth In 1880, Charles Darwin conducted his last experiment."
"...e phenomenon where the main shoot suppresses lateral branch growth. The terminal bud produces auxin (a plant hormone that regulates growth and causes phototropism - the bending of plants toward light) which flows downward and inhibits lateral buds from growing. Remove the terminal bud, and the inhibition disapp..."
Biological Context
Auxin accumulates on the shaded side of the stem, causing cells there to elongate more than cells on the lit side. This differential growth bends the plant toward light. Roots often show negative phototropism, growing away from light. Phototropism allows plants to optimize light capture in competitive environments.
Business Application
Business phototropism: bending toward resource gradients. Companies that detect market opportunities and reallocate resources toward them are performing phototropism. The challenge is distinguishing real gradients from mirages and adjusting at the right speed.