March 2023
Digital media diagram made in Adobe Photoshop
Plants have an impressive ability to adapt to various environments, and one of their remarkable skills is their capacity to perceive gravity and modify their growth patterns accordingly. This phenomenon is referred to as gravitropism, which is essential for a plant’s survival. Specialized structures in plant cells called statoliths are responsible for sensing the direction of gravity. As the orientation changes, these structures move and activate a hormonal response that regulates the plant’s growth and development. Gravitropism is particularly critical for plants grown in microgravity conditions like those found on the International Space Station (ISS). By studying gravitropism, scientists can develop innovative methods for cultivating plants in space and potentially enhance food sustainability for long-duration space missions.
Sophia Barnes Art 