How do plant cells communicate the occurrence of touch, and what distinguishes this process from animals?

Plant cells communicate touch through mechanosensitive proteins, like MSLs (mechanosensitive ion channels). When touched, these proteins undergo conformational changes, allowing ions to flow across the cell membrane, triggering a signaling cascade. In plants, touch-induced responses involve the hormone auxin, which redistributes to the touched region, leading to cellular changes.

Unlike animals, plants lack a nervous system. Instead, their touch response relies on signal propagation through hormone signaling and ion flux. This distinction reflects the diverse evolutionary adaptations, showcasing how plant cells have evolved unique mechanisms to sense and respond to environmental stimuli, such as touch, without relying on a centralized nervous system as seen in animals.