Mimosa Pudica as a model for the study of sensitivity and cognition in plants as a model for the study of sensitivity and cognition in plants

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34024/prometeica.2024.30.16500

Keywords:

stimulus, response, model-organism, learning, memory

Abstract

The sensitive plant Mimosa Púdica is a particular type of plant that has leaves capable of responding to contact in a matter of seconds, causing them to retract and appear to be withered. It is one of the few plants that initiate movements visually perceptible to humans. Regarding the incipient research on sensitivity and cognition in plants, Mimosa seems to be an interesting model organism to analyze these possibilities thanks to its rapid responses that can be observed directly. In this way, Mimosa Púdica could be used as a model for the study of the phenomenon of sensitivity and cognition, not only at the electrophysiological level, but also at the behavioral and functional level. Based on the scientific evidence of biology and neuroscience of the last 15 years, it will be argued that the sensitive plant is a suitable model organism to study, not only at a physiological-mechanical level, the ability of plants to respond to stimuli, but also to evaluate that so many cognitive abilities, such as learning and memory, are attributable to plant organisms from the responses observable in said model. The above is postulated in relation to the idea that all plant organisms initiate movements, but not all of them are observable by humans: Mimosa would then be a useful model for analysis, since it presents movements that can be observed by researchers and It would allow the evaluation of different capacities related to the phenomena of sensitivity and cognition.

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Author Biography

  • Lucas Hinojosa-López, Universidad de Valparaíso

    -Licenciado en Filosofía y Licenciado en Educación por la Universidad de Valparaíso
    -Profesor Ayudante en la carrera de Psicología de la Universidad de Valparaíso.
    -Ayudante de Investigación Centro de Estudios en Filosofía, Lógica y Epistemología (CeFiLoE) en la Universidad de Valparaíso
    -Estudiante del Magíster en Filosofía, mención Lógica y Filosofía de las ciencias en la Universidad de Valparaíso

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Published

2024-07-08

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Vol. 30 (2024): Prometeica - v 30 (07/2024 - 10/2024)

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How to Cite

Hinojosa-López, L. (2024). Mimosa Pudica as a model for the study of sensitivity and cognition in plants as a model for the study of sensitivity and cognition in plants. Prometeica - Journal of Philosophy and Science, 30, 131-143. https://doi.org/10.34024/prometeica.2024.30.16500
Received 2024-03-25
Accepted 2024-05-22
Published 2024-07-08