Plant Movement and Communication

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Questions and Answers

How do plants communicate the occurrence of touch to facilitate movement?

Using mechanical vibrations.

Through electrical-chemical means. (correct)

Through specialized nerve cells.

By changing their external structure.

What process allows tendrils to cling to objects?

Rapid growth of the entire tendril.

Uneven growth rates due to contact. (correct)

Chemical bonding with surfaces.

Curling of the tendril in response to light.

In response to which environmental trigger do shoots of plants typically bend?

Temperature.

Light. (correct)

Wind.

Gravity.

Which type of movement do roots exhibit in response to gravity?

They grow downwards. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of tropic movements in plants?

They are always directed towards a stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What role does water play in the movement of plant cells?

It changes cell shape by swelling or shrinking. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the pea plant helps it climb by wrapping around supports?

Tendrils. Signup and view all the answers

What type of tissue do plants lack for conducting information like animals?

Specialized tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What is geotropism in plants?

Upward and downward growth in response to gravity Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'hydrotropism' indicate?

Growth movement in response to water Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of chemotropism?

Pollen tubes growing towards ovules Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the speed of movements in plants?

Some plant movements are controlled and can be slow Signup and view all the answers

What are the limitations of using electrical impulses for communication in multicellular organisms?

They reach only cells connected by nervous tissue and take time to reset Signup and view all the answers

Why do multicellular organisms often use chemical communication?

It can diffuse to multiple cells without needing direct connections Signup and view all the answers

Which type of plant movement is characterized as sensitive and quick?

Response of the sensitive plant to touch Signup and view all the answers

What role do electrical impulses play in the bodies of multicellular organisms?

They are the primary means for rapid information transfer Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plant Movement and Communication

Movement in plants occurs at different points from where they are touched, indicating a need for information communication.
Plants utilize electrical-chemical signals to convey touch information; however, they lack specialized tissue for conducting these signals unlike animals.
Plant movement requires changes in cell shape, achieved by altering water content in cells, leading to swelling or shrinking rather than muscle contraction as in animals.

Growth-Induced Movement

Tendrils of climbing plants, like peas, exhibit touch sensitivity; contact with support slows growth at the contacted part while the opposite end grows faster, causing a curling motion.
Plants exhibit directional growth, termed tropism, in response to environmental stimuli such as light (phototropism) and gravity (geotropism).
Shoots typically bend towards light while roots grow downwards, away from light and towards gravity.

Types of Tropisms

Geotropism: Roots grow downward due to gravitational pull, while shoots grow upwards.
Hydrotropism: Refers to growth response towards moisture.
Chemotropism: Involves growth direction influenced by chemical stimuli, exemplified by pollen tube growth towards ovules.

Speed of Plant Responses

Plant movements vary in speed: rapid responses (e.g., sensitive plants) happen quickly after touch, while slower movements (like sunflowers tracking the sun) occur gradually.
Growth-related movements are the slowest and involve prolonged directional growth influenced by stimuli.

Communication Mechanisms in Multicellular Organisms

Fast responses to stimuli require rapid information transfer; electrical impulses are efficient but limited as they only reach connected cells and take time to reset.
In contrast, chemical communication allows stimulated cells to release compounds that diffuse to surrounding cells, facilitating broader communication.
This dual communication method reflects the complexity of coordination and response mechanisms in multicellular life.

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Description

Explore the fascinating ways plants respond to touch and communicate information within their tissues. This quiz delves into the mechanisms behind plant movement and the role of electrical-chemical signals in conveying information. Engage with the unique adaptations of plants compared to animals in their response systems.