Plant cells change shape for movement by altering the amount of water within them. This process leads to swelling or shrinking of the cells, enabling changes in shape. Unlike animal muscle cells with specialized proteins, plant cells achieve movement through water regulation.
In the absence of muscle tissue, how do plant cells change shape to facilitate movement?
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In the absence of muscle tissue, plant cells change shape to facilitate movement through alterations in turgor pressure. Turgor pressure results from the osmotic movement of water into the plant cell, creating internal pressure against the cell wall. When cells lose turgor pressure, as in the case of the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) when touched, they undergo reversible changes in shape, leading to movements like leaf folding. This mechanism is based on water movement, ion transport, and changes in cell pressure, showcasing the unique adaptation of plant cells to respond to external stimuli without the presence of muscles.