How does a plant move its leaves in response to touch?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is: (D) By changing the amount of water in them

Explanation:

• Plants, such as the Mimosa pudica (Sensitive plant), exhibit leaf movement in response to touch. This movement, known as thigmonasty, occurs when the plant changes the water content in specialized cells called turgid cells in its leaves.
• When touched, these cells lose water, causing a rapid change in turgor pressure, which leads to the leaf folding or drooping.

Information Booster:

• Thigmonasty is a type of nastic movement where the plant moves in response to touch or mechanical stimulus.
• The process involves the loss of water from certain cells, which leads to a change in cell pressure.
• Mimosa pudica is a common example that exhibits this behavior.
• It helps the plant protect itself from herbivores by quickly closing its leaves when touched.
• The plant’s movement is controlled by changes in turgor pressure within its cells.

Additional Knowledge:

• Nucleic acids are involved in genetic expression, but not in the direct movement of plant leaves.
• Proteins play a role in many plant functions, including metabolism, but do not directly cause leaf movement in response to touch.
• Lipids are essential for cell membrane structure, but they don’t cause leaf movement directly like water does.