At least one type of plant can 'hear' itself being eaten and takes measures to save itself. This was reported earlier this month by a new study. The flower plant, called Arabidopsis thaliana, can detecet pattern of vibrations caused by a chewing sound, and launches a chemical defense to deter the voracious worm or other animal eating its leaves. Researchers already know, from past studies, that plants have reactions to external stimuli such as wind, touch and acoustic energy (playing music for plants). It was the realization that music can affect plants that gave rise to the idea of checking what else plants can hear and react to.
In the study, researchers played a recording of a caterpillar munching on leaves to the plants, while a control group was not played anything. They then waited for 24-48 hours to see what happened. The results were remarkable. In the group of plants that 'listened' to the sounds of chewing, released higher amounts glucosinolates (like mustard oil), an unappealing chemical for the bugs.
so, does this change our perspective on plants as living creatures? Are they 'afraid' when they hear these sounds, thereby using a defense? It is unclear at this point. What is clear, is that there is a lot more to plant life than meets the eye...
This video will you an idea of how the study was performed:
|
Beautiful Nature: The Tadpole Migration
This is the story of one of the greatest migrations, while also being one of the tiniest ones...
This Microscopic Animal is Probably Immortal
Not unlike the mythical hydra, real life hydras are microscopic organisms that have incredible regenerative abilities...
How the Deadliest Parasite Became So Lethal
A fascinating look at an evolutionary jump a micro-organism made from one way of life to become one of the most brutal parasites the world has ever known.
Why Do Cats Like Catnip?
Are they really getting "high," or is there scientific logic behind cats' love of catnip?
Did You Know Bones Make Up 15% of Your Bodyweight?
A 9-minute video compilation stacked with facts you've never heard about nature and the human body.
Is It Possible For Humans To Ever Be As Fast As Cheetahs?
The average cheetah can run at a speed of 80 – 130 km/h (50-80 mph)! Why are humans so slow in comparison?
INTERACTIVE: A Guide to the Workings of the Human Body
The human body is the most complex machine known to man, and the amount of things it has to do to keep us alive is incredible. View this interactive guide now.
Do You Know What Alzheimer's Really Is?
This video will shed light on the different stages of this complex and incredibly destructive disease.
STUDY: The Effect of Personality on Our Level of Happiness
Researchers finally know which types of people will always be happier than others.
20 Incredible Inventions That We Have Completely Lost
Here are some of the most amazing ideas and inventions we have ever seen. But, sadly, all of them have been lost to science in the mysterious mists of history.
I Never Knew These Stunning Facts About Our Universe
If you thought you understood the universe, you'll be completely floored by this insane facts.
The McGurk Effect - Don't Believe Your Eyes!
What we hear can be affected by what we see...
The Story of the Internet: Who REALLY Invented It?
Who really invented the internet, and why did they REALLY do it?
The Magical Geometry of Crystals and How It Came to Be
How and why crystals are formed in such distinctive shapes that look like a human must have shaped them.
Doctors Make History With First Whole Eye Transplant
Surgeons in New York have performed the world’s first transplant of an entire human eye!
The Psychology Behind Why Some People Are Habitually Late
Now we finally know why some people are habitually late.
These Photos Show How Dependent We are On Smartphones
Technology has taken over and these funny (but true) photos help to drive this fact home.
These Optical Illusions Will Shock Your Mind!
Optical illusions create miscommunication between our eyes and brain making, us see things that are not really there or not see things that are right in front of us. See for yourself.
GUIDE: How Alcohol Affects Us, Drink by Drink...
In this article, we're going to discuss the exact amounts of alcohol in our blood and what they look like, including how each level affects us and our ability to function.
When Under a Microscope, Even Ordinary Things Seem Alien
Have you ever given any thought to what every day things look like under a microscope? Some of these images are truly beautiful - see for yourself in the images below.
Toilets: The Greatest Medical Advancement in Human History
While toilets make some people laugh, they are actually a deadly serious medical advancement. This video explains what toilets mean to civilization.
Guide: All About the Gut-Brain Connection in Your Body
it's becoming increasingly clear just how influential our tiny gut microbes are in shaping our mood and even our overall health.
6 Shocking Truths About Coffee You Never Knew
Have you been believing these common coffee myths too?
TRIVIA: 25 Shocking Differences Between the Sexes
Did you know that there are some vast differences between the sexes? These 25 scientific facts will probably come as a big surprise to you, they did to me.
Discover How Anesthesia Affects Your Body and Mind
If you were ever curious about how exactly anesthesia works, then this video has all the answers!
These Inventions Prove the Middle Ages Were Not So “Dark”
These groundbreaking inventions prove the Middle Ages were not so “dark,” after all!
Travel From the Sun to Pluto With Our Interactive Guide!
The solar system is a fascinating place, and we wanted to bring you an interactive journey that you can use to travel through it. Enjoy the journey!
Incredible: This Man Got the First Double-Arm Transplant
Felix Gretarsson got burned in both arms and needed the new ones. For that purpose, he went through history's FIRST 2-arm transplant.
This Visual Shows the Science Behind the Shape of Rivers
A fascinating visual model that explains why and how rivers change their course.
Get a Sense of Scale of Just How Big SpaceX's Rockets Are
SpaceX is achieving incredible things in space, however it's difficult to picture just how big their rockets are. Take a look...
How Your Eye Came to Be the Color It Is...
Why do we have different-colored eyes, and what does it mean?
Incredible: First-Ever Complete Map of an Insect's Brain
This incredible project is the first to completely map the brain of an insect, a monumental undertaking even for such a small creature.
10 Incredible Animal-Inspired Robots
Let's meet some incredibly realistic robotic animals.
These Will Give You True Perspective About Our World
Just to give you an idea of how big the Earth really is in true perspective to all the other heavenly bodies up there in the cosmos.
Ever Wonder What Life Is Like if We Zoom In All the Way?
A selection of some of the winning photographs from Nikon's yearly macro photography contest.
Revealed! This Is How Far We Have Sent Crafts into Space!
Ever wondered just how far humans have sent spacecrafts into space? If the answer is yes, then this video is just what you've been looking for.
This Humanoid Robot May Join the Workforce Very Soon...
Meet Digit – a bipedal robot that's ready to join human workers at warehouses around the world as early as 2024.
The Curious Science of Tricking Your Taste Buds
Did you know you could confuse your sense of taste? Find out how!
Sleep Inventions: 16 Gadgets to Help You Doze Off
If you frequently struggle with sleep, then trying these amazing new sleep innovations could help change your life.
25 Pics Showing How People in the Past Imagined the Future
Let’s see how the people of the past imagined the future and find out if their fun predictions came true with these 25 vintage pictures
10 Classic Paradoxes fom Philosophy, Math, and Physics
in every sphere of human knowledge, we’re bound to run into inconsistencies. That’s how fascinating paradoxes like these are born.
These Fire Tricks Will Wow You, But Don't Try Them!
These fire tricks are incredible to look at, but please don't try this at home...
The COOLEST Flames in the World - Jaw-Dropping!
Have you ever seen a flame as epic as this? Find out how it's made...
The Accidental Discovery of the World’s First Antibiotic
Not too long ago, it was fairly common to die of the simplest of wounds due to bacterial infection. Penicillin changed everything.
What Metals Do We Mine the Most? This Graph Shows All!
Did you know the world mined 2.8 billion tonnes of metals in 2021? Let’s discover what metals we mined the most.
These Wacky Inventions of the Past Appear Odd to Us Today!
These vintage tech inventions may look very interesting or even incredible, but their practicality today is questionable...
Your Voice is as Unique As Your Fingerprints
This fascinating video explains how this unique characteristic of humans works, and what makes our voices unique.