Question

Besides the fact that tropism refers to the growth or turning movement of a plant in response to changes in environmental stimulus, and reflex action is an involuntary movement made by an organism (animal) in response to a stimulus, what is another key difference between tropism in plants and reflex action in animals?

A) Tropism involves conscious decision-making by the plant, while reflex actions are always unconscious in animals.

B) Tropism is a rapid response to stimuli, while reflex actions in animals are slower and deliberate.

C) Tropism is generally a permanent change in the plant's structure, while reflex actions in animals are temporary.

D) Tropism occurs at the cellular level, affecting plant growth, while reflex actions in animals involve coordinated responses of muscles and nerves.

Answer 1

Tropism in plants involves a permanent structural change due to the redistribution of plant hormones like auxin, while reflex actions in animals are quick, temporary responses coordinated by the nervous system.

Step-by-step explanation:

A key difference between tropism in plants and reflex action in animals is that tropism typically results in a permanent change in the plant's structure, while reflex actions in animals are temporary. In tropisms, a plant hormone called auxin redistributes to one side of the plant, triggering uneven cell growth and causing the plant to bend towards or away from stimuli like light (phototropism), gravity (gravitropism), and touch (thigmotropism).

This growth modification becomes a lasting aspect of the plant's structure. In contrast, reflex actions in animals involve a quick, temporary response through the nervous system, often to protect the organism from harm. Unlike tropisms, these reflexive responses are transient movements, such as pulling away from a hot surface.