Plant Biology
Tropism
A growth movement of a plant in response to an environmental stimulus. The direction of growth is determined by the direction of the stimulus. Common tropisms include phototropism (light) and gravitropism (gravity).
Biological Context
Tropisms are distinguished from taxis (movement) because plants grow rather than move. Roots show positive gravitropism (grow downward) and often negative phototropism. Shoots show negative gravitropism and positive phototropism. Tropisms are mediated by hormone gradients.
Business Application
Corporate tropisms: predictable growth directions in response to stimuli. Companies reliably grow toward profit gradients, talent concentrations, and regulatory incentives. Understanding your organization's tropisms reveals predictable behavior patterns.