How Does a Clinostat Work?

The clinostat was invented to enable the constant rotation of an object, such as a plant, around an axis perpendicular to the force of gravity. Experimenters use this device to cancel the effect of gravity by equalizing the gravity vector around the horizontal axis.

What is the use of a Clinostat?

A clinostat is a device which uses rotation to negate the effects of gravitational pull on plant growth (gravitropism) and development (gravimorphism). It has also been used to study the effects of microgravity on cell cultures, animal embryos and spider webs.

How does a Klinostat work?

It consists of a motor that slowly rotates a drum inside which seedlings are attached. This prevents any single part of the seedlings from receiving uninterrupted gravitational stimulation and results in horizontal growth of the seedlings.