Detecting cell groups functions as the brain of the seed

The plant's seed has a group of cells that function similarly to a brain, responsible for assessing the environmental situation and ordering the seeds to germinate. This is a new discovery by scientists at Birmingham University, England.

In the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the researchers said the "decision-making center" of a plant called Arabidopsis , contains two types of cells, one type of seed like sleeping peace, and 1 kind of promoting seed germination. These two groups of cells are connected by moving hormones, a mechanism similar to the mechanism of action of the human brain when it is decided to do or not.

To carry out this study, scientists used a mathematical modeling method to show the communication between individual parts that control the sensitivity of the seed to the environment. The type of seed used is a mutant that has more chemically bound cells to prove the seed germination time depends on the internal signs.

The division in the "brain tree" is also key to the function of the grain.

Professor George Bassel of Biosciences University at Birmingham University said the study revealed a key division between the "brain" components of the county. In the activity of the human brain, this division is thought to create a silence, ease the noisy signs of the environment and increase the accuracy for us to make decisions. Meanwhile, the division in the " brain tree" is also key to the function of the grain.

Dr Iain Johnston, a mathematics professor at Birmingham University, said the division of cells also allows plants to respond more to environmental effects. The mathematical model describing the function of the brain predicts that more seeds will germinate if in a much-changed environment compared to the constant environment, for example, between constantly changing temperatures and stable temperatures. Scientists later tested this forecast in the laboratory.

The timing of germination is extremely important to the survival of plants later. If germination is too early, the tree may encounter an adverse environment, if too late, the plant will be under pressure to compete with the previous plants. Scientists say this knowledge can be applied to commercial plants to increase and synchronize the seed germination process, thereby increasing harvest yields as well as reducing herbicide use.