How do plants, like the chhui-mui (sensitive plant), respond to stimuli such as touch?

Plants like the sensitive plant, also known as “chhui-mui” or Mimosa pudica, respond to touch through a phenomenon called thigmonasty. When touched or subjected to physical stimuli, the sensitive plant undergoes a rapid and reversible folding of its leaflets. This response is a result of changes in turgor pressure within specific cells, causing the cell walls to lose rigidity temporarily. The movement is a defense mechanism against potential threats, as the plant’s leaves fold inward, making them less accessible to herbivores or adverse environmental conditions. Thigmonastic responses in plants, like the chhui-mui, showcase their ability to sense and adapt to mechanical stimuli.