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Characteristics of action potentials generated spontaneously in Helianthus annuus
Author(s) -
Zawadzki Tadeusz,
Dziubiśka Halina,
Davies Eric
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1995.tb02231.x
Subject(s) - rhythm , helianthus annuus , impulse (physics) , amplitude , action (physics) , biophysics , physics , chemistry , botany , biology , horticulture , acoustics , sunflower , optics , classical mechanics , quantum mechanics
A novel experimental set‐up and method of recording of electrical potential differences in plants have been developed which enable continuous, 8‐channel monitoring of electrical activity over extended periods of time using inserted, extracellular electrodes. The investigations were carried out on 21‐ to 23‐day‐old Helianthus annuus plants, and spontaneously‐generated action potentials were recorded during monitoring sessions lasting for 3 days and nights. Characteristics of these spontaneous action potentials were elaborated, adopting as parameters their typical form, amplitude, duration, velocity, direction, and distance of propagation and frequency of occurrence in morphologically different parts of the plant, Variability, similarities, and interdependence of the above parameters in individual plants and in a group of 15 plants were determined. A hypothesis concerning propagation of action potentials in plants along specific impulse‐propagating ‘columns’ is discussed. The frequency of generated impulses is highest at night and lowest in the day and also displays an apparent 24‐h rhythm. Presumably this mechanism is under both endogenous and exogenous control and may be partly dependent on a biological clock.