How do auxins affect phototropism?

Auxins play a crucial role in the phenomenon of phototropism, which is the growth response of plants toward light. When a plant is exposed to light, auxins are distributed unevenly, accumulating on the side that is away from the light source. This unequal distribution promotes cell elongation on the shaded side of the plant, allowing that side to grow faster. As a result, the plant bends toward the light source as the cells on the side facing away from the light elongate more than those on the side facing the light.

This mechanism enables plants to maximize their exposure to sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis. The action of auxins in promoting this differential growth is what ultimately causes the bending of the plant toward the light and demonstrates how plants adapt their growth patterns to enhance their survival.