How is the movement of leaves of the sensitive plant different from the movement of a shoot towards light?

The movement of leaves of the sensitive plant occurs due to electrical-chemical impulse that helps to convey information from cell to cell in plants. This is a rapid movement that happens by changing the amount of water in plant cells resulting in swelling or shrinking. It is not a growth movement instead it is a defensive mechanism of the plant. This phenomenon is called thigmonasty.

In contrast, the movement of a shoot towards light is a slower growth oriented movement in plants. This phenomenon is called phototropism. Plant hormone auxin plays a key role in phototropism. When light strikes one side of the shoot, the auxin moves to the shaded side, causing cells on that side to elongate. This differential growth results in the bending of the shoot towards the light source.