aphototropism
|a-pho-to-tro-pism|
🇺🇸
/əˌfoʊtəˈtroʊpɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/əˌfəʊtəˈtrəʊpɪzəm/
no response to light
Etymology
'aphototropism' is a modern formation from Greek elements: the prefix 'a-' meaning 'not, without' and 'phototropism' (from Greek 'phōs, phōt-' meaning 'light' and 'tropos' meaning 'turn').
'phototropism' was coined in scientific usage in the 19th century from Greek roots and entered English botanical terminology; 'aphototropism' was later formed by adding the privative 'a-' to denote lack of that response.
Originally the Greek elements described 'turning toward light' (phototropism); adding the privative 'a-' shifted the meaning to 'not turning toward light' or 'lacking a light response'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the absence or lack of a phototropic response; no directional growth or movement in response to light.
Under the experimental conditions the seedlings showed aphototropism and did not bend toward the light source.
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Noun 2
(less commonly) a response characterized by movement or growth away from a light source (often called negative phototropism).
Some root tips exhibit behaviour described as aphototropism, effectively growing away from intense light.
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Last updated: 2025/09/17 01:02