Leaf movements in Mimosa pudica, are in response to thermal stress, touch, and light or darkness, appear
to be regulated by electrical, hydrodynamical, and chemical signal transduction. The pulvinus of the
M. pudica shows elastic properties. We have found that the movements of the petiole, or pinnules, are
accompanied by a change of the pulvinus morphing structures. After brief flaming of a pinna, the volume of the lower part of the pulvinus decreases and the volume of the upper part increases due to the
redistribution of electrolytes between these parts of the pulvinus; as a result of these changes the petiole falls. During the relaxation of the petiole, the process goes in the opposite direction. Ion and water
channel blockers, uncouplers as well as anesthetic agents diethyl ether or chloroform decrease the speed
of alert wave propagation along the plant. Brief flaming of a pinna induces bidirectional propagation of
electrical signal in pulvini. Transduction of electrical signals along a pulvinus induces generation of an
action potential in perpendicular direction between extensor and flexor sides of a pulvinus. Inhibition of
signal transduction and mechanical responses in M. pudica by volatile anesthetic agents chloroform or
by blockers of voltage gated ion channels shows that the generation and propagation of electrical signals
is a primary effect responsible for turgor change and propagation of an excitation. There is an electrical
coupling in a pulvinus similar to the electrical synapse in the animal nerves