How Roots and Shoots Grow in Response

Plants grow in response to gravity and touch through two linked movements called gravitropism and thigmotropism. These responses help roots and shoots change direction as they grow.

In gravitropism, higher plants sense gravity with statocytes, which are cells near the vascular tissue in shoots an...

Plants typically have shoots that sprout from the ground and roots that grow downward into the soil. How do plants sense which way is up and which way is down?

Plants grow and move in response to gravity, a phenomenon called gravitropism. Growth in the direction of gravity, such as the downward growth of roots, is called positive gravitr...