How Auxins Control Plant Movement
Ever wondered why plants always seem to grow towards windows? Auxins are the clever chemicals behind this behaviour. These hormones are produced in plant tips and control growth by making cells elongate rather than multiply.
When light hits a plant evenly from all sides, auxins spread equally throughout the stem, causing straight upward growth. But here's where it gets interesting - when light comes from just one direction, auxins move to the shaded side of the plant.
This uneven distribution makes only the shaded cells elongate, causing the plant to bend towards the light source. It's basically the plant's way of maximising photosynthesis by chasing the best light available.
Quick Tip: Remember that roots show positive gravitropism (grow towards gravity) whilst shoots show negative gravitropism (grow away from gravity).
