Do Plants Have Intelligence?

Plants do not think in the way humans do, but they do take in information and respond to it. Plants take cues from their environment to ‘decide’ when to send up shoots, set buds or abscise leaves. Some plants react to attacks by predators by releasing chemical warning signals that are sensed by other plants in the area. Scientists are debating whether these reactions should be considered intelligent.

Researchers are studying signal transduction to learn more about how genetic and hormonal orders are carried out by plants. At present our understanding of the complex interactions of genes and environmental stimuli is limited. Recent research has found that plants have neurotransmitters very similar to those found in humans. A new field, plant neurobiology, has arisen to study the chemical mechanisms behind the growth of plants and their responses to the environment.

While conversations with plants seem unlikely, the research may lead to some limited communication with our green partners. One day it may be possible to read the chemical signs to determine a plant’s needs before obvious signs appear.

Link: New research opens a window on the minds of plants from the Christian Science Monitor.

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 1:02 PM on March 8, 2005

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