thermotropism

[ ther-mo-truh-piz-uhm ]

noun

, Biology.

1. oriented growth of an organism in response to heat.

thermotropism

/ ˌθɜːməʊˈtrəʊpɪzəm /

noun

1. the directional growth of a plant in response to the stimulus of heat

Derived Forms

• ˌthermoˈtropic, adjective

Other Words From

• ther·mo·trop·ic [thur-m, uh, -, trop, -ik, -, troh, -pik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thermotropism¹

First recorded in 1885–90; thermo- + -tropism

Example Sentences

Several kinds of tropisms are recognized, such as phototropism or heliotropism, reaction to light; thermotropism, reaction to heat; electrotropism or galvanotropism, to electric current; geotropism, to gravity; chemotropism, to a chemical; rheotropism, to current; thigmotropism or stereotropism, to contact; and chromotropism, to color.

From Project Gutenberg

Moreover we know from experiments on heliotropism, thermotropism, etc., that even intangible stimuli such as rays of light, etc., impinging unsymmetrically on these delicate cells cause alterations in their behaviour—e.g. arrest or acceleration of growth.

From Project Gutenberg