Which mechanism allows the sensitive plant to move its leaves immediately after being touched?
Changing the amount of water in certain cells
The sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) folds its leaves within seconds of being touched. It has no nervous system and no muscles; instead, the movement is driven by rapid changes in the water content of specialised cells at the base of each leaflet and petiole, called pulvini.
When the plant is disturbed, an electrical signal travels to the pulvinus and causes ions and water to move out of the cells on one side. Those cells lose turgor and shrink, so the leaflet folds down. This is why the correct mechanism is a change in the amount of water in certain cells, not nerves, muscles or animal-like proteins.
Hence, the answer is Changing the amount of water in certain cells.
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