phototropic

[ foh-tuh-trop-ik, -troh-pik ]

adjective

, Botany.

1. growing toward or away from the light.
2. taking a particular direction under the influence of light.

Other Words From

• photo·tropi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phototropic¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; photo- + -tropic

Example Sentences

For the past decade, he has used the phototropic properties of cyanobacteria to produce images in Petri dishes.

From The Daily Beast

Thus the leaflets of Mimosa pudica acted on by light from above fold upwards, the phototropic effect being positive.

From Project Gutenberg

But the same leaflets acted on by light from below exhibit a folding upwards, the phototropic effect being now negative.

From Project Gutenberg

This has even led to assumption that there are phototropic particles which function like statoliths in geotropic organs.

From Project Gutenberg

As the responsive movement is towards light, the phototropic effect must be regarded as positive.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall now describe the phototropic effect of unilateral light in pulvinated, and in growing organs.

From Project Gutenberg