Why does the leaf of mimosa pudika plant close when touched?
The motility of the mimosas is linked up with the so-called ” turgor pressure”. This means the pressure to the cell wall, which is caused by water absorbed from the surrounding. An important attribute of the turgor movements is the fact, that they are reversible. The plant is able to accomplish moves by changes in the turgor pressure, which are caused by exterior impulses. Until today, one doesn’t know in detail how this happens, but it is known that an impulse results in a change of the permeability in certain cells, which allows, together with a higher flexibility of the cell walls and a decrease in turgor pressure, the movement. When a part of the plant recognizes an impulse, it can be forwarded to neighbouring parts. This probably happens by a change of the electric potential and perhaps by a not yet identified chemical transmitter. There are several theories to explain the movement of the mimosa. By folding up the leaves, the mimosa is less attractive for herbivores. [The leaves o
