Plant growth responds to touch: wall cress

1 of 1 Arabidopsis thaliana / Small RNA Pa.. / License

Stems of wall cress are less elongated in windy conditions due to a touch-response system called thigmomorpho-genesis, that turns on specific genes in response to touch that regulate growth.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Process information >
	Sense signals/environmental cues >
	Touch and mechanical forces

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Mimic the touch response in buildings, equipment, and other structures that are self-assembling and need to react to forces present in their environment, such as strong wind.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"A small weed that can turn on a specific set of genes when touched has given scientists clues to understanding how plants adapt to their environments. In particular, it may help to explain why plants that are exposed to wind tend to be shorter and sturdier than their more sheltered cousins…One of the genes turned out to be the gene responsible for making a small protein called calmodulin in wall cress. The protein is found in all fungi, plants and animals--although not in bacteria. It is known to have a very important role in processes within cells that are controlled by the concentration of calcium ions - for instance, muscle contraction and the release of neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, at the synapses between nerves. Each calmodulin molecule binds to four calcium ions. Once it has bound them, it binds in turn to important enzymes, triggering several biochemical important events…this may be a breakthrough in understanding an earlier observation that plants exposed to wind tend to be less elongated than protected plants, and that this effect can be reproduced in the laboratory by touching. Scientists call the touching response: thigmomorpho-genesis." (Boyd 2007)

About the inspiring organism

Arabidopsis thaliana
Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.
[Mouseear cress, wall cress]

IUCN Red List Status: Unknown

Some organism data provided by: ITIS: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Mimic the touch response in buildings, equipment, and other structures that are self-assembling and need to react to forces present in their environment, such as strong wind.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Construction

Experts

Genome Technology Center
Ronald Davis
Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University

References

Boyd, Alan. 1990 April 28. Science: Plant switches on genes in response to touch. New Scientist.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg12617142.900.html.

Braam J; Davis RW. 1990. Rain-, wind-, and touch-induced expression of calmodulin and calmodulin-related genes in Arabidopsis. Cell. 60(3): 357-364.

Plant growth responds to touch: wall cress

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