Electrical experiments with plants that count and communicate | Greg Gage

Summary

In this engaging presentation, a neuroscientist from Backyard Brains explores the remarkable capabilities of plants, particularly the Venus flytrap and Mimosa pudica. By demonstrating how these plants can respond to stimuli and communicate through electrical signals, he challenges the conventional notion that only animals possess brains. The talk reveals how plants exhibit behaviors akin to counting and decision-making, emphasizing their ability to process information similarly to animals. This innovative approach not only enhances understanding of plant biology but also serves as a tool for teaching neuroscience to younger generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Neuroscientist co-founder of Backyard Brains aims to inspire future neuroscientists with accessible research tools for students.
• 🌱 Plants, such as the Venus flytrap and Mimosa pudica, exhibit complex behaviors that challenge traditional views of intelligence and movement.
• 🔍 The Venus flytrap counts touch events to determine whether to close its trap, indicating a form of computation.
• ⚡ Plants communicate through electrical signals, similar to how animals use action potentials in their nervous systems.
• 🐦 Action potentials are used in both plants and humans to encode information and respond to stimuli.
• 🌞 The Venus flytrap relies primarily on sunlight for energy but supplements its nutrients through capturing insects.
• 📊 An experiment showcased the electrical signals in plants, demonstrating how they respond to touch stimuli.
• 🔗 The interspecies plant-to-plant communicator experiment illustrates how plants can relay information electrically.
• ❓ While plants do not have brains or neurons, they possess sophisticated signaling mechanisms that enable responses to the environment.
• 🎓 The presentation emphasizes the potential of using plant behavior to teach concepts in neuroscience effectively.

Q & A

What is the primary mission of Backyard Brains?

The primary mission of Backyard Brains is to train the next generation of neuroscientists by making graduate-level neuroscience research equipment accessible to middle and high school students.

Why do students often think only animals have brains?

Students typically associate brains with movement and will mention animals like cats and dogs, while largely overlooking plants, which also exhibit movement but are perceived as lacking brains.

What discovery did Arthur Dobbs make in the 1760s?

Arthur Dobbs discovered the Venus flytrap, a plant that quickly closes its traps when a bug falls into it, which he called the most wonderful plant in the world.

How do plants like the mimosa respond to touch?

When the leaves of the mimosa pudica are touched, they curl up, and when tapped, the entire branch falls down due to electrical signals, or action potentials, that travel through the plant.

What is an action potential?

An action potential is an electrical signal that represents a rapid change in voltage, which can occur in both plants and animals, allowing them to respond to stimuli.

How does the Venus flytrap determine whether to close its trap?

The Venus flytrap counts the number of times its trigger hairs are touched. It requires a second touch within a specific timeframe to ensure a fly is present before closing.

Do plants have brains?

No, plants do not have brains, neurons, or axons, but they can communicate and respond to stimuli using electrical signals similar to action potentials found in animals.

What experiment demonstrates communication between plants?

The experiment involves recording the action potential from a Venus flytrap and sending that signal to a mimosa, which causes the mimosa to respond as if it had been touched.

What significance do action potentials have in neuroscience?

Action potentials are fundamental in neuroscience as they are the primary means of information transfer in both plants and animals, demonstrating the ubiquity of electrical signaling in living organisms.

How can studying plant behavior contribute to neuroscience education?

Studying plant behavior can provide engaging and relatable examples of electrical signaling and responsiveness, making complex concepts in neuroscience more accessible to students.