Why does the sensitive plant shy away? The reason is actually very simple

All of you who love life must keep all kinds of plants in your homes. A beautiful potted plant can not only improve the air at home but also adorn your home environment. Everyone should have seen the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica). Many friends are drawn in by the way the sensitive plant "shies away," but do you understand why the sensitive plant shies away? Today the editor will explain to you the reason why the sensitive plant shies away.

Why does the sensitive plant shy away

The sensitive plant, whose scientific name is Mimosa pudica, is also called the laughing grass, the shame-knowing grass, the shy grass, and so on. It originated in tropical America, and now its shadow can be seen almost everywhere in the world; it is a plant with tenacious vitality. Looking at these bashful names, it is not hard to recall the phenomenon of the sensitive plant's leaflets closing and its leaf stalks drooping when touched. Does the sensitive plant really "shy away"?

As everyone knows, plants have no nervous system, which is one of the most important differences between plants and animals, yet the imprint response shown by the sensitive plant looks very much like animal behaviour. Why is that?

The research group that studied the reason the sensitive plant "shies away" uncovered the secret of the sensitive plant's "shyness": the cells of the sensitive plant are supported by a fine, net-like protein called "actin" (that is, the pulvinus contractile body). When the closing movement occurs, the phosphate of the actin falls off, so as long as the sensitive plant absorbs a compound that prevents the phosphate from falling off, it will not change even when touched. A biology professor pointed out that when the actin bundles begin to disperse, the cells are destroyed and the water inside the cells runs out, so the closing movement occurs. Actin is generally found in the muscle fibres of animals and is related to muscle contraction and extension. Unexpectedly, it also exists in the sensitive plant, which can be said to be quite rare.

The above is the explanation the editor has brought you of why the sensitive plant shies away. Do you understand now?