Question

What is thigmotropism? Give an example.

Answer 1

Hint: It is a kind of process that occurs in plants. Here in the question they are asking us about this process and also to give an example of it. The other name of thigmotropism is haptotropism. Plants lack nervous systems and sense organs. But they also respond to various environmental stimuli like touch, gravity, light etc.

Complete answer:
There are mainly six types of tropic movements in plants which includes:
Phototropism
Chemotropism
Geotropism
Hydrotropism
Thigmotropism
Thermotropism
Thigmotropism is the movement of plants in response to contact with any object or solid substances. Commonly seen in climbers like peas, money plants etc. One can easily notice this phenomenon as plants will appear climbing a wall or any stick etc.
In this the plant responds bidirectionally to the surface of any object. The process is seen in tendrils and also in few flowering plants.
The part of the plant that is in touch with the hard surface will produce a hormone called “auxin” and “ethylene”. These hormones help in the growth of the plant in that particular direction.
Example includes the movement of tendrils in the direction of the hard surface it touches, money plants etc.

Note:
Thigmotropism is mainly of two types - differential growth and rapid contact coiling. The movements that plants possess is very much important for the overall growth and development of plants and also provides them protection and helps in the development of sudden response for change.