What is the Difference Between Positive and Negative Tropism?

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Tropism is a growth movement in plants whose direction is determined by the direction from which the stimulus originates. There are two types of tropisms: positive and negative.

  • Positive Tropism: The plant or a part of it grows in the direction from which the stimulus originates. An example of positive tropism is phototropism, where stems are positively phototropic and grow towards sunlight.
  • Negative Tropism: Growth occurs away from the stimulus. An example of negative tropism is inverted geotropism, where roots of most plants grow upwards against the force of gravity.

In summary, the main difference between positive and negative tropism lies in the direction of growth in response to a stimulus:

  • Positive tropism: Growth towards the stimulus
  • Negative tropism: Growth away from the stimulus

Comparative Table: Positive vs Negative Tropism

Positive and negative tropism are types of tropic movements that plants exhibit in response to stimuli. Here is a table comparing the differences between positive and negative tropism:

Feature Positive Tropism Negative Tropism
Definition The curvature movement of a plant part in the direction of the stimulus. The curvature movement of a plant part against or away from the direction of the stimulus.
Direction Towards the stimulus. Away from the stimulus.
Example Positive phototropism exhibited by sunflowers when the plant's growth is directed towards sunlight. Negative phototropism exhibited by roots of a plant when they grow away from light.
Other Examples Plant shoots showing positive phototropism and negative geotropism. Plant roots showing negative phototropism and positive geotropism. -

In summary, positive tropism is the movement or growth of a plant part towards the stimulus, while negative tropism is the movement or growth away from the stimulus.