Study Guides/Biology/Experiment to Demonstrate Hydrotropism
Study Guide · Biology

How to Design an Experiment to Demonstrate Hydrotropism

In Class 10 Biology, 'Tropic movements' are directional growth responses of plants to external stimuli. 'Hydrotropism' is the specific phenomenon where plant roots grow in the direction of moisture (water). Here is a simple experiment to prove this.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is Phototropism?

Answer

Phototropism is a plant's growth response to light. Stems show positive phototropism (growing towards the sun), while roots show negative phototropism.

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Key Facts

In nature, hydrotropism is a survival mechanism. It allows desert plants and trees to send their roots deep and wide to find hidden underground water sources.

Roots show positive hydrotropism, but the plant stem (shoot) is completely unaffected by water direction.

1. Materials Required

  • A large glass trough or transparent plastic container.
  • Dry soil or sawdust.
  • Two small porous earthen pots (Kulhad) or unglazed clay pots.
  • Water.
  • A few fast-growing seeds (like Kidney beans, Gram, or Pea seeds).

2. Experimental Setup (Procedure)

  1. Fill the glass container completely with the dry soil.
  2. Plant the bean seeds directly in the middle of the soil.
  3. Take one porous clay pot, bury it partially in the soil a few inches away from the seeds on the right side, and fill it with water.
  4. Take the second clay pot, bury it on the left side of the seeds, but leave it completely empty (dry).
  5. Leave the setup completely undisturbed in a warm, well-lit place for 5 to 7 days. Ensure the water pot is constantly refilled so water slowly seeps into the soil around it.

3. Observation and Conclusion

  • Observation: After a week, if you carefully look through the glass bottom or gently remove the top soil, you will see that the roots of the seedlings have not grown straight down. Instead, they have bent and grown horizontally towards the right side—directly towards the wet, water-filled porous pot.
  • Conclusion: This directional growth clearly demonstrates Positive Hydrotropism. The roots actively seek out the water source for survival, overpowering the downward pull of gravity (Geotropism).

Questions and Answers

What is Phototropism?+

Phototropism is a plant's growth response to light. Stems show positive phototropism (growing towards the sun), while roots show negative phototropism.

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