Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: NDTV
Context: Scientists from Japan have captured real-time footage of plants communicating with each other for the first time.
- The research revealed that plants release airborne compounds, similar to smells, to warn nearby plants of danger.
About the study:
The study observed how undamaged plants responded to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by plants damaged by insects or other factors.
Using an air pump connected to containers with leaves, caterpillars, and Arabidopsis thaliana (a mustard family weed), the researchers observed bursts of calcium signalling in undamaged plants, indicating their response to the warning messages.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at room temperature. This high vapour pressure results from a low boiling point, which allows their molecules to evaporate from the liquid to the gas phase.
VOCs are in thousands of daily use products, including paint, varnish, wax, and various cleaning, degreasing, and cosmetic products. Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants.
