Tendrils in plants like the pea plant enable climbing by being sensitive to touch. When they come in contact with a support, the part of the tendril in contact with the object grows less rapidly than the part away from it, causing the tendril to circle around and cling to the support.
How do tendrils in plants like the pea plant enable climbing, and what makes them sensitive to touch?
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Tendrils in plants, such as those in pea plants, enable climbing by exhibiting thigmotropism, a directional growth response to physical contact. Specialized cells on the tendrils, called touch-sensitive cells or pulvini, respond to mechanical stimuli. When the tendril touches a support, these cells undergo rapid water movement, causing differential growth and curvature towards the support. This allows the plant to anchor and climb. The sensitivity to touch is attributed to a combination of hormonal changes and ion movements within the cells, triggering the growth response. Overall, this mechanism ensures efficient and adaptive climbing behavior in plants with tendrils.