Why do plant shoots grow towards sunlight?

Auxins are a hormone in plants that is mainly produced in the tips of shoots and roots. High concentration of auxins in the shoot causes cells to grow more, whereas a high concentration in the root causes cells to grow less.Auxin responds negatively to light, meaning it stays in higher concentrations in the shaded side of a plant. compared to the lit side This means that the shoot grows longer on the shaded side, causing it to bend the plant towards the light. This process is called positive phototropism.

FA
Answered by Fareeha A. Biology tutor

7550 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain how vaccination makes a person immune to a disease


What happens to the arteries in coronary heart disease?


Explain how shivering helps to raise a persons body temperature.


True or false - when you focus on a NEAR object, the lens becomes THINNER allowing light to reflect GREATLY.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning