Tuesday 24 July 2018

What chemicals and structures control the *direction* of plant growth in leaves, stems and roots?


If you want a specific plant, let's say the snap peas I am growing that I bought at Agway. I noticed that they grow towards the light source through the nearby window. Also I think roots work the same way for water/minerals. also don't various kinds of ants find food conceptually identically?


How much of this is true? Please correct:



  • I think analogous to ant colonies, plants will attempt to grow every which way initially, and will only continue growing in directions that give the most/enough light/water/minerals. If a direction is or becomes unfruitful, that section withers. After the initial state the plant will start branching in directions off of locations on still growing sections of plants and that cycle continues until none of the plant can be supported and the whole thing withers (perennials) or slows its metabolism down to the point where it could survive those conditions until they picked up again (such as winter seasonal survival of tree species). Also, it is not as if they decide which direction to go in. that type of decision would forgo going in another direction. And not sure, but I don't think plants have decision capabilities anyways. they grow in directions they grow best.




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