Scientists from the University of Washington have identified in plants the ability to respond to the beginning and end of touch. The results of the work were published in the journal Nature Plants.

During 84 experiments, the authors studied 12 watercress and tobacco plants, which were specially bred. Pieces of plants were placed under a microscope, and then experts lightly touched them with a tiny glass rod the size of a human hair. The team found many complex responses depending on the strength and duration of the touch.

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So, in one of the tests, individual plant cells responded to the touch of a stick by sending slow waves of calcium signals to other plant cells, and when the external pressure weakened, the wavelength increased significantly. It was previously known that plants can respond to touch, but for the first time it was discovered that plant cells send different signals when touch begins and ends.

It is assumed that these waves are interconnected with a change in pressure inside the cell. Animal cells have permeable membranes, but plants have denser ones, so even a light touch temporarily increases the pressure inside the plant cell.

Earlier, Charles Darwin University identified two medicinal plants native to northern Australia that have powerful wound-healing, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects and could form the basis for the development of new drugs.