Plant Fact: Plants Can Feel

Plants can feel (mechanical sensitivity) by sensing touch, vibrations, and mechanical disturbances, enabling them to respond to their environment.

For instance, sensitive plants like Mimosa pudica fold their leaves when touched, and climbing plants use tactile sensing to wrap around supports.

Experiment: An early study demonstrated Mimosa pudica’s rapid leaf folding upon touch. Later research revealed this response is driven by electrical signaling and turgor pressure changes in pulvini cells. (Sack, F. D., “Signal Transduction in Plant Cells,” American Journal of Botany, 1987).

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