5.
Explain phototropism
Answer: The growth movement in response to the stimulus of light
auxins are produced at the tip of the stem from where they move downwards evenly
The even distribution of auxins brings about equal growth on all sides of the stem
The stem grows straight upwards
when the stems are exposed to a unilateral light, the brightly lit side suffers from a shortage of auxins because they are destroyed by the light or because they move to the darker side
A high concentration of auxins promotes growth
Thus an uneven distribution causes an uneven growth, with the darker side growing faster
this causes the stem to bend towards the light