Why is the movement of the leaves of a touch-me-not plant in response to touch considered different from the…

Question

Why is the movement of the leaves of a touch-me-not plant in response to touch considered different from the bending of a seedling towards light? Give one reason each for the basis of both movements.

Accepted Answer

## Model Answer The movement of touch-me-not leaves is **independent of growth** — cells change shape by losing water (turgor change), causing rapid folding. The bending of a seedling towards light is **dependent on growth** — the hormone auxin causes unequal growth on the two sides of the shoot, making it bend towards light. *Source: Chapter 6, Sections 6.2 and 6.2.2* --- ## Explanation Examiners look for two things: (1) the correct basis of each movement stated clearly, and (2) one reason for each. Touch-me-not = turgor/water change (no growth); seedling bending = differential growth due to auxin. Use the terms "growth-independent" and "growth-dependent" to signal you know the core distinction. Don't confuse the two — mixing them up is the most common error.

Science (086) — AI-generated practice question