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Mimosa pudica : Electrical and mechanical stimulation of plant movements
Author(s) -
VOLKOV ALEXANDER G.,
FOSTER JUSTIN C.,
ASHBY TALITHA A.,
WALKER RONALD K.,
JOHNSON JON A.,
MARKIN VLADISLAV S.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2009.02066.x
Subject(s) - mimosa pudica , botany , stimulation , biology , petiole (insect anatomy) , biophysics , neuroscience , hymenoptera
Thigmonastic movements in the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica L., associated with fast responses to environmental stimuli, appear to be regulated through electrical and chemical signal transductions. The thigmonastic responses of M. pudica can be considered in three stages: stimulus perception, electrical signal transmission and induction of mechanical, hydrodynamical and biochemical responses. We investigated the mechanical movements of the pinnae and petioles in M. pudica induced by the electrical stimulation of a pulvinus, petiole, secondary pulvinus or pinna by a low electrical voltage and charge. The threshold value was 1.3–1.5 V of applied voltage and 2 to 10 µ C of charge for the closing of the pinnules. Both voltage and electrical charge are responsible for the electro‐stimulated closing of a leaf. The mechanism behind closing the leaf in M. pudica is discussed. The hydroelastic curvature mechanism closely describes the kinetics of M. pudica leaf movements.