OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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What phenomenon occurs when a shoot tip is exposed to light?

The shoot bends away from light
The shoot bends towards light
The shoot grows vertically
The shoot stops growing

The correct answer is: The shoot bends towards light

When a shoot tip is exposed to light, phototropism occurs, which is a growth tendency in plants to orient towards the light source. This phenomenon is primarily driven by the plant hormone auxin, which is distributed unevenly when light is present. Auxin accumulates on the shaded side of the shoot, causing those cells to elongate more than the cells on the light-exposed side. As a result, the shoot bends towards the light, allowing the plant to maximize its light absorption for photosynthesis. This adaptation is essential for the plant's growth and survival in its environment, as it ensures that leaves are well-positioned to capture sunlight effectively.