Chapter 1
The ultimate botanical drama queen
Chapter 2
The plant that remembers
Chapter 3
Global roots and shy legends
Chapter 4
Sleep, siblings, and cyborgs
YOUR GOAL
Master of The dramatic life of the sensitive plant
Ch 4 · Sleep, siblings, and cyborgs
artiteacher The Sensitive Plant
We sleep by our own clock, be kind to sister roots, and wire up to drive your robot dreams!
artiteacher The Fabaceae family member uses nitrogen-fixing root bacteria to fertilize soil and blooms with fluffy, pink pom-pom flowers
artiteacher Delicate green leaves of a sensitive plant fold gently under warm, dramatic lighting.
Fun Fact
Cyborg plants: Scientists have wired sensitive plants to Venus flytraps to trigger leaf movements using electricity.
Quiz
What beneficial task do the root bacteria of the sensitive plant perform for the surrounding soil?
Quiz
How does the sensitive plant's nighttime folding habit help it survive cold tropical nights?
Quiz
What toxic alkaloid compound is found inside the sensitive plant to deter herbivores from eating it?
Quiz
What is the scientific term for the sensitive plant's daily habit of folding its leaves at night to sleep?
Quiz
In 2017, Greg Gage wired a sensitive plant to what other famous rapid-moving plant to trigger a reaction?
Quiz
What is the color of the fluffy, pom-pom-like flowers produced by the sensitive plant?
Quiz
To which major crop family, including peas and beans, does the sensitive plant belong?
Quiz
Which chemical extract from the sensitive plant has been shown to prolong sleep and reduce anxiety in animal studies?