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Secret communication between plants: Why can some plants "hear" their neighbors' calls for help
In our daily lives, we often think of plants as growing quietly and standing out from the crowd. However, scientific research shows that there is actually a secret communication network between plants that allows them to sense changes in the environment through the release of chemical substances. What is going on?
Chemical ecology is a broad, multidisciplinary field that uses the disciplines of biochemistry, biology, ecology, and organic chemistry to explain the interactions between organisms and their environment.
How plants communicate
Studies have shown that many plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when attacked by pests and diseases. These chemicals not only warn surrounding plants, prompting them to increase their defenses, but also attract natural enemies to join in the defense.
The power of chemical signalsMany plants have been found to be able to communicate with each other over great distances, in what some scientists call "common defense" in plants.
These chemical signals, like an invisible language, enable plants to respond to external threats in a timely manner. For example, when certain plants are attacked by insects, they release chemicals containing specific ingredients that can trigger defensive responses from nearby plants or attract predators.
How plants “hear” their neighbors’ calls for helpThe reason why plants can "hear" their neighbors' calls for help is related to tiny sensory organs in their roots and leaves. These organs can sense chemical signals in the air or soil. These signals are usually highly specific and will only respond to one or a few types of plants. Such biological tendencies are not only a way to fight against natural enemies, but also a way to maintain ecological balance.
When facing external threats, plants not only defend themselves, but also make good use of the "friends" around them to help defend themselves. For example, when some trees are eaten, they release chemical signals that alert nearby trees to prepare for the enemy as well.
Behind the truth: evolution and potential
The relationship between this communication and evolution is particularly important because plant chemical signals are the result of long-term evolution. In this process, plants with strong chemical defenses are more likely to survive and reproduce. This not only affects the survival of individual plants, but also the functioning of the entire ecosystem.
The latest research in the scientific community
With the rapid development of biotechnology, scientists have gradually adopted advanced technologies such as gene sequencing and metabolomics to deeply study the chemical communication of plants. How the expression of specific genes regulates the release of volatile chemicals by plants has become a hot research topic. These advances not only help us understand the collaboration between plants, but also help develop new ecological agricultural technologies and improve the resistance of crops.
Through these latest technologies, scientists are decoding the complex process of how plants use chemical signals to communicate, which may be an important basis for future crop improvement and pest management.
Closing Thoughts
This secret communication between plants promotes ecological harmony and balance. However, this makes us wonder, will the environmental challenges faced by plants in their daily lives once again cause them to evolve more complex ways of communication?
