• Question: Am i correct in thinking that plants have a form of communication, via theremones? There was an experiment done in which this scientist cut off a part of the plants leaves making it think it was under attack, this then realised theremonesto the other plants to excreate insecectoside onto its leaves.

    Asked by watsonjc06 to Carol, Ellie, John, Philip, Rebecca on 26 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: John Welford

      John Welford answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      It sounds like you know more about it that me! It’s really nowhere near my area of science, but I have heard about plants communicating.

      Pheromones are chemicals produced as a form of communication, they are often seen in insects but they have also been found in animals, plants and humans. So what you’re saying does sound possible!

      Maybe one of the other scientists can tell you more about it?

    • Photo: Carol White

      Carol White answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      Watsonjc06, that’s a really interesting question that has always intrigued me!

      Pheromones are a form of chemical communication between living things. For example, bees give off “alarm pheromones” when their hive is being threatened – to tell the whole colony of bees to react!

      It’s thought that some plants also give off “alarm pheromones” when they’re being eaten – sending a signal to other plants to produce tannin (which makes the plant less tasty). But there’s still a huge debate, because some of the experiments scientists have done could be explained by other things – like diseases.

      As John says, it’s definitely possible, but scientists haven’t really figured this out for sure… yet!

      If you’re interested in diseases, pheromones are being looked at to see if they can provide some kind of resistance or early warning system for plants and animals against insects that carry harmful diseases or infections!

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