Life Movements in Plants, Volume IIBose, Jagadis Chandra
Science
Life Movements in Plants, Volume II
Bose, Jagadis Chandra
Growth (Plants); Plants -- Irritability and movements
_Torsional response in a- and b-positions: Experiment 193._--When the
leaf is in _a-position_, the geotropic torsion is found to be with the
movement of the hands of a clock. In the _b-position_, on the other
hand, the torsion is against the hands of a clock. In both these cases
the _geotropic torsion makes the less excitable upper half of the
pulvinus face the vertical lines of gravity_. The incident stimulus is
vertical, and it is the upper flank, consisting of the upper and lower
halves of the pulvinus (on which the vertical lines of gravity impinge)
that undergoes effective stimulation.
_Algebraical summation of geotropic and phototropic effects: Experiment
194._--We are, however, able to adduce further tests in confirmation of
the above. If the direction of the incident geotropic stimulus is
vertical, and should it act more effectively on the upper flank, it
follows that stimulus of light acting from above would enhance the
previous torsional response due to geotropism. In the above case, the
lines of gravity and the rays of light coincide. The effect of rays of
light acting from below should, on the other hand, oppose the geotropic
torsion. The additive effect of stimulus of light and gravity is seen
illustrated in figure 180. The first part of the curve is the record of
pure geotropic torsional movement. Light from above is applied at L;
the rate of movement is seen to become greatly enhanced. Light is next
cut off, and the enhanced rate induced by it is also found to disappear,
the response-curve being now due solely to geotropic action. The effect
of geotropism in opposition to phototropism will be found in the
following experiments, where the opposing action of light of different
intensities is seen to give rise to a partial, to an exact, or to an
over-balance.
[Illustration: FIG. 180.--Additive effect of stimulus of gravity G, and
of light L. Application of light at--L increases torsional response.
Removal of light restores original geotropic torsion.]
[Illustration: FIG. 181.--Algebraical summation of geotropic and
phototropic actions. Light applied below at--L, opposes geotropic
action. Cessation of light restores geotropic torsion. Cessation of
light is indicated by L within a circle.]
BALANCE OF GEOTROPIC BY PHOTOTROPIC ACTION.
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