Stem elongation

The stems of these Nicotiana plants are elongating in response to etiolation. They require more light than they are getting and they are stretching toward a source of light. Plant anatomy is plastic and allows this kind of movement; even in sessile (non-moving) plants. The physiology of etiolation is complicated and interesting.

 

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For a scientific review see: Gewolb, J. 2001. How seedlings see the light. Science 293: 1237-1238.

 

Done