The genetic analysis of tropic responses

An increasing number of studies on tropic responses includes the genetic analysis of mutants defective in these morphogenetic processes. This review collates the information and discusses the implications of this approach to such studies. The review is organized on a systematic basis because most genetic analyses are insufficiently complete for general principles to have emerged. The most advanced analyses are those of lower eukaryotes because of their haploidy and the ease with which they can be manipulated in vitro. The extensive studies of phototropism, gravitropism and autochemotropism in the fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus and of phototropism, polarotropism and gravitropism in the moss Physcomitrella patens are reviewed. In comparison with these studies, the genetic analysis of tropic responses in particular species of flowering plants is more limited. However, comparative physiological and ultra-structural studies of individual mutant and wild-type strains have been performed for a number of species. These results are discussed with particular regard to their support for established hypotheses.