The sensitive plant detects touch through specialized cells that respond to mechanical stimulation. While lacking nervous and muscle tissue, it employs unique cellular mechanisms for touch sensitivity.
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The sensitive plant detects touch through specialized cells that respond to mechanical stimulation. While lacking nervous and muscle tissue, it employs unique cellular mechanisms for touch sensitivity.
The sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) detects touch through rapid turgor pressure changes without nervous or muscle tissue. Specialized cells called pulvini, located at the base of each leaflet, enable this response. When touched, ion movements trigger the loss of turgor pressure, leading to cell collapse and the folding of leaflets. Reversing the pressure change restores the leaflets to their original position. This mechanism relies on changes in water movement and ion concentrations, demonstrating the plant’s ability to sense and respond to touch without a nervous system. It showcases a unique adaptation in plants to environmental stimuli.