Mimosa pudica: Electrical and mechanical stimulation of plant movements |
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Authors: | ALEXANDER G. VOLKOV JUSTIN C. FOSTER TALITHA A. ASHBY RONALD K. WALKER JON A. JOHNSON VLADISLAV S. MARKIN |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Oakwood University, 7000 Adventist Blvd., Huntsville, AL 35896, USA and;2. Department of Neurology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390‐8813, USA |
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Abstract: | 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 µC 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. |
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Keywords: | charged capacitor method electrical signaling motor cells plant electrophysiology |
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