Nicolas Baror 9/14/18
Core Biology Current Event #1
In this article by Eric Hamilton, the author talks about how researchers at the University of Wisconsin
are learning how plants communicate with each other over long distances. Simon Gilroy, a professor
working in the labs, revealed how a substance called Glutamate, an abundant neurotransmitter in
animals, activates a wave of calcium when something wounds a plant, like an animal for example.
Researchers already knew that plants had a systemic signalling system, which would create an electric
charge and a propagation moving across the plant. But what they didn’t know, is how this electric charge
got created, and how it moved throughout the plant. They thought calcium would be one candidate, but
they needed a way to prove that. So, they created a whole new plant which would show calcium under a
fluorescent light. In a video, recorded at the time of the experiment, shows plants lighting up as calcium
moves from the damaged leaf up to other leaves at about one millimeter per second. This is actually
quite fast in the plant world, and the entire plant would know about this attack in a few short minutes.
Therefore, the plant could now increase their defensive strategies, like increasing the amount of noxious
chemicals to keep animals away. This study, connects decades worth of research to reveal how plants
detect and retaliate against attacks.
This article helps society in a big way, by showing how many living things, including humans and plants,
have evolved over time to adapt to their environment. When humans would attack a fort, for example,
the whole army would know in a few days. Essentially, this is the same thing happening in plants, just in
a smaller scale. This also shows how all living things are connected to each other in some way. For
example, we have a neural network in our brains that essentially do the same thing as these plants,
sending information to other parts of the body so they can know what is happening, and update their
defenses accordingly.
I think this article was well written, as I liked that the author took a couple paragraphs to explain what’s
happening inside the plants, when they detect an attack. I also like that the author did his best, in simple
words, to try and explain some of the terms and the context of the article. I would like to see a connection
or an example of this in the world, so it can be easily compared to something that many people would
know about, but I do think he did a good job trying to explain it. I would also like to see more context,
for example, maybe a recap on past research when he mentions that this discovery connects decades
worth of research. And finally, I would have liked to see the video that he was referring to linked
somewhere in the article, so I could see it for myself.
are learning how plants communicate with each other over long distances. Simon Gilroy, a professor
working in the labs, revealed how a substance called Glutamate, an abundant neurotransmitter in
animals, activates a wave of calcium when something wounds a plant, like an animal for example.
Researchers already knew that plants had a systemic signalling system, which would create an electric
charge and a propagation moving across the plant. But what they didn’t know, is how this electric charge
got created, and how it moved throughout the plant. They thought calcium would be one candidate, but
they needed a way to prove that. So, they created a whole new plant which would show calcium under a
fluorescent light. In a video, recorded at the time of the experiment, shows plants lighting up as calcium
moves from the damaged leaf up to other leaves at about one millimeter per second. This is actually
quite fast in the plant world, and the entire plant would know about this attack in a few short minutes.
Therefore, the plant could now increase their defensive strategies, like increasing the amount of noxious
chemicals to keep animals away. This study, connects decades worth of research to reveal how plants
detect and retaliate against attacks.
This article helps society in a big way, by showing how many living things, including humans and plants,
have evolved over time to adapt to their environment. When humans would attack a fort, for example,
the whole army would know in a few days. Essentially, this is the same thing happening in plants, just in
a smaller scale. This also shows how all living things are connected to each other in some way. For
example, we have a neural network in our brains that essentially do the same thing as these plants,
sending information to other parts of the body so they can know what is happening, and update their
defenses accordingly.
I think this article was well written, as I liked that the author took a couple paragraphs to explain what’s
happening inside the plants, when they detect an attack. I also like that the author did his best, in simple
words, to try and explain some of the terms and the context of the article. I would like to see a connection
or an example of this in the world, so it can be easily compared to something that many people would
know about, but I do think he did a good job trying to explain it. I would also like to see more context,
for example, maybe a recap on past research when he mentions that this discovery connects decades
worth of research. And finally, I would have liked to see the video that he was referring to linked
somewhere in the article, so I could see it for myself.
Hamilton, Eric. “Blazes of Light Reveal How Plants Signal Danger Long Distances.” ScienceDaily,
ScienceDaily, 13 Sept. 2018, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180913142026.htm.
ScienceDaily, 13 Sept. 2018, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180913142026.htm.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your article I had time to develop some opinions. First off, I thought you did many things well. For one you did a very good job explaining what the article was about. I really liked how you connected what happens when plants were attached to more relatable things that happened in the real world such as attacks on a fort. Your critique on the article was very good and gave many good pointers that would have helped make their article better, such as adding connection to the real world. Lastly you found a very interesting article about a topic that many people didn’t cover. I would never have learned about this interesting fact about plants if you did not post this article.
Although your critique was very good I still think there were some things that you could have done better. Know I only a couple suggestions The first suggestion is more focused on the righting and less on the content. I would recommend to stop using the phrase “I think” and choose different wording to make you sound more sure about what you are saying. Although what I am saying is more to the preference of the teacher and the writer it is still something you could take into account. The second suggestion would be to add quotes from the article to prove what you were saying. These suggestions are small but would make your writing a lot better.
One thing that really surprised me was how complex these plants really were. I never would have guest that plants had a defence mechanism to the extent described in the article. I also found the way they proved their plant theory very interesting. This was mainly do to the fact that the researchers created a new plant to show calcium under a fluorescent light. To be honest I wouldn't have guest that the researchers had to go to such a length to prove their theories. Overall I found what was done with plants to be extremely interesting.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your article I had time to develop some opinions. First off, I thought you did many things well. For one you did a very good job explaining what the article was about. I really liked how you connected what happens when plants were attached to more relatable things that happened in the real world such as attacks on a fort. Your critique on the article was very good and gave many good pointers that would have helped make their article better, such as adding connection to the real world. Lastly you found a very interesting article about a topic that many people didn’t cover. I would never have learned about this interesting fact about plants if you did not post this article.
Although your critique was very good I still think there were some things that you could have done better. Know I only a couple suggestions The first suggestion is more focused on the righting and less on the content. I would recommend to stop using the phrase “I think” and choose different wording to make you sound more sure about what you are saying. Although what I am saying is more to the preference of the teacher and the writer it is still something you could take into account. The second suggestion would be to add quotes from the article to prove what you were saying. These suggestions are small but would make your writing a lot better.
One thing that really surprised me was how complex these plants really were. I never would have guest that plants had a defence mechanism to the extent described in the article. I also found the way they proved their plant theory very interesting. This was mainly do to the fact that the researchers created a new plant to show calcium under a fluorescent light. To be honest I wouldn't have guest that the researchers had to go to such a length to prove their theories. Overall I found what was done with plants to be extremely interesting.
Overall, you did a great job. I really liked your first paragraph. You were able to explain the information in a clear and concise way and grab the reader's attention. You even described the video which was very helpful. In the second paragraph, you also did a great job. Not only did you make real world connections, however; you also presented the impact on society in a way that was uncomplicated. Finally, I enjoyed your critique. After reading the article myself, all of your points were valid and felt relatable. Lastly, you picked an article that I had no previous knowledge on and were able to teach me and other students about how plants communicate with one another.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, your current event was very good, there are a few things you could work on. For example, I agree with Amir, you should refrain from saying "I believe, I think, etc.." as frequently because it gives off the impression that you don't truly believe in what you are saying. In order to sound more sure, just state your opinions as if they are facts. Another thing you could work on is having a stronger conclusion. Towards the end on the third paragraph, if you were to add in one more conclusion like sentence to wrap up all of your ideas from the previous three paragraphs, that would be great. Other than those two critiques, you truly did a great job.
I chose to comment on your article for several reasons. Firstly, you picked an interesting topic that I had absolutely no previous knowledge on, even the title itself drew me in " New Discovery Reveals How Plants Communicate Between Themselves." After reading your critique and the article, I learned a ton of new information about plants. The most interesting piece is probably how plants dynamically respond to threats by preparing distant tissues to deal with future attacks. I had absolutely no idea that plants did this and I find it quite interesting. Thanks to your critique, I have gained a deeper understanding of plants and now understand how plants signal danger from long distances.
nice post.
ReplyDeleteplants help air quality