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tropism

/ˌtroʊˈpɪzəm/
IPA guide

Other forms: tropisms

Definitions of tropism
  1. noun
    an involuntary orienting response; positive or negative reaction to a stimulus source
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    types:
    ergotropism
    an affinity for work
    geotropism
    an orienting response to gravity
    heliotropism
    an orienting response to the sun
    meteortropism
    an effect of climate on biological processes (as the effect on joint pains etc.)
    neurotropism
    an affinity for neural tissues
    phototropism
    an orienting response to light
    trophotropism
    an orienting response to food
    thermotropism
    an orienting response to warmth
    type of:
    reaction, response
    a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent
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