Voltage At the Cellular Level: Bridging Biology and Biophysics

While most dictionaries and textbooks assert that nervous systems are exclusive to animals, thereby excluding plants, a growing body of botanical research over the past 25 years has begun to challenge this traditional paradigm. Studies have demonstrated that many plants transmit electrical signals between their various parts in response to environmental stimuli. Researchers from diverse scientific disciplines have proposed the concept of plant neurobiology and the existence of plant nervous systems. However, this perspective remains contentious and has elicited substantial criticism. So, Plants generate electrical signals, such as action potentials (APs) and variation potentials (VPs), to facilitate information transmission across their tissues. These signals primarily travel through the plant’s vascular system, particularly the phloem, enabling effective communication and coordination.