Though plants may seem static at some point, scientists agree that they possess a sensory system that feels and responds to the dangers within their environment. While they are unlike humans who has eyes, nose or ears; plants have functions similar to these. They are aware of the impending downpour or when it is going to be windy and so on. Also, plants react accordingly to these changes.
According to Dr. Kim Johnson of the University of Melbourne School of Biosciences, it is a pity that plants are under constant environmental stress. Johnson said that these symptoms are actually visible and plants take on new shapes as a response, the UM publication Pursuit said. Simply put, a plant that is in constant stress over strong wind will eventually fix in one direction during its growth. When there is an obstruction in its roots, it is going to grow around it.
Johnson aims to discover how plants are regulating themselves to respond to these physical and mechanical stresses. Even more interesting is the fact that plants develop their "organs and senses" after they were born. This is apparent when they grow roots, flowers or leaves. Comparably, humans already have all the sensory organs at birth.
If there is an apparent similarity between humans and plants, it is the epidermis. Plants have skins that hold their body fluids and protects them against the harsh environment. Plant's epidermis is also teeming with senses that detect an environmental stimulus, according to Phys.Org. Johnson stressed that the plant epidermis holds its body together and can be altered when subjected to constant tension.
Johnson also narrated an experiment in the 1800s when scientists discovered what is now known as tissue tension. The experiment involves cutting a sunflower stem. This resulted in the outer epidermis to retract so that the inner tissues can keep growing unhampered. Johnson explained that the said experiment proved that plant's outer layer is under tension while the inner layers are under compressive force.
