title: X-ray CT and histological imaging of xylem vessels organization in Mimosa pudica.
abstract: Mimosa pudica has three distinct specialized organs, namely, pulvinus, secondary pulvinus, and pulvinule, which are respectively controlling the movements of petioles, leaflets, and pinna in response to external stimuli. Water flow is a key factor for such movements, but detailed studies on the organization of the vascular system for water transport in these organs have not been published yet. In this study, organizations of the xylem vessels and morphological features of the pulvinus, the secondary pulvinus, and the pulvinule were experimentally investigated by X-ray computed tomography and histological technique. Results showed that the xylem vessels were circularly distributed in the specialized motile organs and reorganized into distinct vascular bundles at the extremities. The number and the total cross-sectional area of the xylem vessels were increased inside the specialized motile organs. Morphological characteristics obtained in this study provided new insight to understand the functions of the vascular networks in the dynamic movements of M. pudica.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Hyoja Dong, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 790-784, Korea; School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Hyoja Dong, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 790-784, Korea; Center for Biofluid and Biomimic Research, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Hyoja Dong, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 790-784, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kahye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Hae Koo
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Joonghyuk
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D031298:Mimosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D018516:Pulvinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D052584:Xylem / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: X-ray computed tomography; pulvinule; pulvinus; secondary pulvinus; xylem vessel