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Glite Dictionary
thermotropism

thermotropism

9.9
Movement or growth of a living thing in response to temperature, often toward warmth
  • noun
  • /ˌθɜrməˈtroʊpɪzəm/
  • Specialized
: termotropismo
  • Plants exhibit thermotropism by growing towards warmer areas.

Examples

  • Some plants exhibit thermotropism, bending towards a source of warmth during colder months.

  • Some plants exhibit thermotropism, bending towards a source of warmth during colder months.

  • Scientists observed thermotropism in the plant's roots, which grew away from the heated soil.

  • The study focused on the thermotropism of certain bacteria in response to temperature gradients.

  • The study of thermotropism can help improve agricultural practices.

  • Scientists observed thermotropism in the plant's roots, which grew away from the heated soil.

  • The study focused on the thermotropism of certain bacteria in response to temperature gradients.

Surface Forms

thermotropism singular
thermotropisms plural

Morphology

thermotropism = tropism (transparent) = thermo + trop + ism

The word is built regularly from the temperature-related combining form 'thermo-' plus 'tropism', so the sense is directly recoverable from its parts.

Etymology

Thermotropism comes from thermo- meaning 'heat' and -tropism meaning 'turning', so imagine a plant or living thing 'turning' toward or away from warmth. That's why thermotropism means movement or growth in response to temperature.