Auxins, phototropism and gravitropism
I can explain how hormones called auxins cause plant shoots and roots to respond to light and gravity.
Auxins, phototropism and gravitropism
I can explain how hormones called auxins cause plant shoots and roots to respond to light and gravity.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Hormones control growth and development in plants, and enable plants to respond to some environmental factors.
- Auxins are plant hormones that control tropisms, which are growth responses in plants that provide a survival advantage.
- Phototropism in a shoot: auxins build up on the shaded side and cause cell elongation, so it bends towards the light.
- Gravitropism in a shoot: auxins build up on the lower side and cause cell elongation, so it bends upwards.
- Gravitropism in a root: auxins build up on the lower side but this stops cell elongation, so it bends downwards.
Keywords
Hormone - chemicals released by plants that regulate their growth
Auxins - control the growth of plants by promoting cell division and elongation in plant cells
Tropism - a plant growth response to a stimulus, it can be positive (towards) or negative (away from)
Phototropism - a plant growth response towards or away from light
Gravitropism - a plant growth response towards or opposite the direction of gravity
Common misconception
Pupils may think that plants move towards the sun, rather than grow in that direction. Pupils may also think that plants are not living.
Plants grow in a certain direction through mitosis (in meristem) and elongation. Plants are living as they carry out the common processes of living organisms.
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Auxins, phototropism and gravitropism, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Auxins, phototropism and gravitropism, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Plant growth and development unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
reproductive organ
provides support and contains tissues that transport sugars and water
where most photosynthesis takes place
where minerals and ions are absorbed
Exit quiz
6 Questions
