Movements of leaves of sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica are due to

Options

A. thermonasty
B. seismonasty
C. hydrotropism
D. chemonasty

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Plant**: The plant in question is Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the sensitive plant. It is known for its rapid leaf movements in response to touch.

2. **Identifying the Movement Type**: The movement of the leaves when touched is a specific type of response. In this case, it is a reaction to mechanical stimulation, which is categorized under thigmonasty or seismonasty.

3. **Mechanism of Movement**: When the leaves are touched, a high pressure is generated at the point of contact. This pressure causes water to move from the vacuoles of the leaf cells to the adjacent cells, leading to a loss of turgor pressure in the leaf cells. As a result, the leaves become flaccid and fold up.

4. **Eliminating Incorrect Options**:
- **Thermonasty**: This refers to movements in response to temperature changes, which is not applicable here.
- **Hydrotropism**: This is the growth response of a plant to water, which does not relate to the leaf movement of Mimosa pudica.
- **Chemonasty**: This involves responses to chemical stimuli, which is also not relevant to the movement of Mimosa pudica leaves.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the above analysis, the correct answer is that the movements of leaves of the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica are due to **seismonasty** (option 2).

**Final Answer**: The movement of leaves of sensitive plant Mimosa pudica are due to **seismonasty**.

---