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phototropism

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: //ˌfoʊtəˈtroʊpɪzəm//

KK: /ˈfoʊtəˌtroʊpɪzəm/

noun
Definition

The way a plant or organism grows or moves in response to light, usually towards it.


Example

The sunflower exhibits phototropism by turning its head to follow the sun throughout the day.


Conversation
Sloth A
Have you ever heard of phototropism?
Sloth B
Yeah, it's when plants grow towards the light, right?
Sloth A
Exactly! It's fascinating how they respond to their environment.
Sloth B
Totally! Nature has some amazing ways of adapting.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
lightresponse
heliotropism
lighttropism
Antonyms
darkness
shadow
obscurity
Root Explanation

Phototropism → It is formed from "photo-" (from Greek "phōs", meaning light) and "tropism" (from Greek "tropos", meaning turn or change). The word describes the growth or movement of an organism in response to light, indicating a turning towards light.

Memory Tip

Think of 'light' ('photo-') guiding the 'turning' ('tropism') of a plant — that's why phototropism means a plant's growth towards light.

Visually Confused Words
aphototropism
prophototropism
diaphototropism
paraphototropism
orthotropism
haptotropism
aphototropic
trophotropism
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