Curated OER
Amazing Seeds
Three cute activities introduce youngsters to seeds and roots. In the first activity, various soaked seeds are placed in a glass so that the direction of root growth can be observed. In the second, a bag of seeds is filled with water and...
Curated OER
Tropism
Students conduct various experiments on tropism. In this biology lesson, students explain how gravity affects the growth of plant roots. They identify the different types of tropisms.
Curated OER
The Importance of Tropisms
Students investigate plant tropisms using the scientific method. In this life science lesson, students learn about tropisms and test the response of corn seedlings to gravity. Response questions, extensions, and an adaptation for older...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Do Roots Grow When the Direction of Gravity Changes?
You might not know it, but plants are able to sense their environment and actually respond appropriately. One of the key parameters that every plant must respond to is the direction of gravity: stems go up (opposite to the pull of...
University of Hamburg
University of Hamburg: Photoperiodism and Stimulation
A good summary of the photoperiodic effects of plants. Discussion of the way that the length of the day effects the growth of plants.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Bending Plant Roots With Gravity
In this lesson, students investigate what effect changing the direction of gravity will have on the growth of a plant's roots. Includes detailed instructions, videos, background articles, etc.
McGraw Hill
Mhhe: Plant Growth and Growth Regulators
A very good overview of the hormonal control of plant responses to different environmental cues. Good place to start research.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Gravitropism (Geotropism)
Gravitropism (or geotropism) is how a plant responds to gravity. Roots have a positive reaction to gravity and they grow toward it. Stems have a negative reaction and grow away from gravity. Learn more about what happens inside a plant...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Plant Responses
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes ways that plants respond to environmental stimuli.
NC State University
Nc State University: Adventures of the Agronauts: Plants and Gravity
This site deals mostly with space, but it has a whole page on gravitropism. Click on vocabulary words to get a definition from the glossary. Click on the video to see gravitropism in action!