In plants like the sensitive plant, the point of touch and the point of movement are distinct. The actual movement happens at a location different from where the plant is touched, indicating the transmission of information within the plant.
How does the point of touch differ from the point where movement occurs in plants like the sensitive plant?
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In plants like the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), the point of touch and the point where movement occurs are not the same. When touched, the stimulus is typically detected at the base of the leaflet, where specialized cells called pulvini are located. However, the actual movement, which involves the folding of the leaflets, occurs away from the point of touch. The rapid turgor pressure changes responsible for leaf folding originate in response to the stimulus, causing the movement at a different location. This separation of touch detection and movement allows the plant to efficiently respond to external stimuli while preserving overall structural integrity.