What term describes the growth response of a plant away from light?

The term that describes the growth response of a plant away from light is negative phototropism. In this context, phototropism refers to the directional growth of a plant in response to light stimuli. Typically, plants exhibit positive phototropism, which means they grow towards the light source, allowing them to maximize photosynthesis. However, negative phototropism occurs when certain parts of the plant, such as roots or specific stems, grow away from light, often seeking out more favorable conditions or avoiding detrimental light exposure.

While positive phototropism is important for leaves and stems in maximizing light absorption, negative phototropism can play a role in protective or adaptive strategies for the plant, such as avoiding excessive sunlight that could lead to dehydration or tissue damage. Other terms like geotropism (response to gravity) and hydrotropism (response to moisture) pertain to different stimuli and are not relevant to light response in this scenario.