Daniel was standing next to the bananas at the grocery store when he noticed something he had never thought about before. Why are bananas curved? Why not straight like other fruit? Mom had a question of her own before answering.
It turns out bananas grow in bunches that hang downward from the plant. But each banana bends upward as it grows, reaching toward the sunlight. Plants that grow toward light have a name for it: phototropism. So the curve is not just a shape. It is a banana doing exactly what it is supposed to do.
Bananas grow in bunches that hang downward from the plant, not upward.
Each banana curves upward as it grows toward the sunlight.
The scientific name for plants growing toward light is phototropism.
Every curved banana you see was once a straight one reaching for the sun.
Daniel spots something odd, grabs the camera, and won't move on until he knows the real reason behind it.
Mom keeps it under a minute and makes sure every surprising fact is one you can repeat at dinner and still be right.
