18. Would plants be altered, look different and have different characteristics in space? What effect would the absence of gravity have? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

Plants' morphology, or outward appearance, is altered in space primarily due to the decreased gravity. While the leaves still migrate toward a light source and the roots away from it, a process called phototropism, the gravatropic effect of leaves growing away from gravity and roots growing toward it is affected. The decreased pull of gravity changes some of the outward appearances of plants, such as the broadening of leaves or the flattening out of the leaves and stems. From several experiments that have been conducted in space growing wheat from seed to seed, very little if any of the bio-chemical or physiological functions seem to be altered due to the lack of gravity.

---

Answer provided by Gregory Schlick

Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer

Buy This Book Click here