logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2021
2m 28s

How can plants hear?

Choses à Savoir
About this episode
As far-fetched as it may sound, some plants can actually hear. In fact, it has been scientifically proven by researchers that plants are perfectly capable of setting up defense mechanisms responding to sound. They discovered that when the sound of a specific predators is played near the plant, their defense mechanism to fight against insects are triggered. Let’s look a little closer. These researchers first observed, how plants of the Arabidopsis genus, plants related to mustard and cabbage, reacted when a caterpillar nibbled at their leaves. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Apr 2021
How heavy are the clouds?
The clouds we see in the sky seem rather light, almost like absorbent cotton. However, being filled with water and ice, these gigantic suspended masses weigh - in reality - up to several tons. Don't be fooled by appearances, the clouds that float above your heads are more like an ... Show More
2m 13s
Apr 2021
What is the Rowbotham experiment?
Long before Magellan completed the first circumnavigation of the globe, in the 16th century, ancient Greek scientists had demonstrated, by simple observation, that the Earth was round, or rather spherical. Of course, this did not prevent some people from believing that our planet ... Show More
2m 18s
Apr 2021
Why is biting foil unpleasant?
As you may have already noticed, if you bite aluminum foil, the strange sensation of heat or pain in your teeth is quite unpleasant. This is due to the contact between the aluminum and the metals that make up the fillings in some teeth. If you feel a tingling sensation when bitin ... Show More
2m 19s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
The not-so-secret life of plants
From the perspective of Western science, plants have long been considered unaware, passive life forms; essentially, rocks that happen to grow. But there’s something in the air in the world of plant science. New research suggests that plants are aware of the world around them to a ... Show More
39m 4s
Jun 2024
Can plants feel an electric shock?
Believe it or not, plants are sensitive things. They know when the sun is shining. They get stressed when an insect is munching on them. But do they feel things like an electric shock? We asked arborist Casey Clapp to help us find the answer. Got a question that’s firmly planted ... Show More
5m 55s
Apr 2022
Plant Memories, Part 1
Do plants remember? Do they communicate? What is the extent of their interaction with their environment? In this Stuff to Blow Your Mind series, Robert and Joe dive into the amazing world of plant intelligence research. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
49m 21s
Sep 2021
The Secret World of Plants
Plants aren’t just sitting around looking cute; they’re doing all sorts of stuff, like defending themselves, and even warning other plants about danger. Today, we’re talking all about the weird and wily world of plants with Professor Beronda Montgomery from Michigan State Univers ... Show More
11m 3s
Mar 2023
Do climbing plants know where they’re going?
<p>CrowdScience listener Eric, in New Zealand, has noticed his wisteria growing towards a neighbouring tree. He thinks that it actually knows where it’s going. But how can a plant have a sense of direction?</p><p>Plants don’t have the advantage of brains or eyes, but that doesn’t ... Show More
29 m
Apr 2023
From the Vault: Plant Memories, Part 1
Do plants remember? Do they communicate? What is the extent of their interaction with their environment? In this classic Stuff to Blow Your Mind series, Robert and Joe dive into the amazing world of plant intelligence research. (originally published 04/12/2022)See omnystudio.com/ ... Show More
49m 55s
Apr 2023
From the Vault: Plant Memories, Part 2
Do plants remember? Do they communicate? What is the extent of their interaction with their environment? In this classic Stuff to Blow Your Mind series, Robert and Joe dive into the amazing world of plant intelligence research. (originally published 04/14/2022)See omnystudio.com/ ... Show More
54m 33s
Dec 2021
Do trees have memories?
We discuss whether plants can 'remember' stressful situations, such as droughts or pests. 
6m 19s
Oct 2021
Do plants have immune systems?
<p>In the past 18 months we have heard lots about the human immune system, as we all learn about how our bodies fight off Covid-19 and how the vaccine helps protect us. But this got listener John, in Alberta, Canada, thinking about how trees and plants respond to diseases and thr ... Show More
32m 9s
Jul 2024
Protestant Footsteps
How listening to plants can tell us stories <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p> 
57m 55s