If you have ever seen a field of sunflowers , surely two things will have attracted your attention: the first the great beauty of these plants.The second, that each and every one of them are facing the Sun.And we already know it, they have a peculiar attraction to our beloved and luminous star, a hypnotic fascination that forces them to continually turn in their search.But why do they do it? Do not worry, in Science Daily Online we want to answer all your questions.
Sunflowers and phototropism
They are spectacular.Van Gogh already dedicated more than some work, always trying to capture its luminosity and strength.We know them as sunflowers, or tile corn, although its scientific name is Helianthus annuus. A type of plant family of asteracea s that can easily measure two meters.Its peculiarity? That makes a continuous movement towards the sun, hence for example in English, it is also known as Sunflowers, although in many corners of the world it is known simply, as the wonder flower.
It is native to Peru, and has some striking yellow flowers of almost 3 cm in diameter, where its small edible fruits are installed.Its seeds are those from which we can obtain the precious pipes, or the indispensable sunflower oil, basic in our kitchen.
Until here everything is clear, but let's go a little further, we delve into its rotating faculty.Its fascination with the sun is due to a phenomenon called phototropism , that is, its movement is explained based on a stimulus response that determines them, a stimulus for continually capturing light d e sol.This singular act-but understandable-is known as heliotropism. A biological need that scientists have investigated for many years.
Phototropism, according to several studies, is due to a complicated osmosis system, in which, It seeks to balance the amount of water present in the plant.When the fluids and solute concentrations are in an adequate concentration, it is when the sunflower can lean those 180º, through which, in turn, it can also capture sunlight and execute the movement: a sophisticated mechanism that always keeps them moving to perform their biological functions essential for survival.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykXXEr4SBRc
Another curiosity that is worth knowing about sunflowers, is the way in which their seeds are arranged inside the plant.Surely you've seen it sometime.Circular shapes that seem to run a nice well-balanced drawing through its intense yellow colors.random? Not at all, it is due to the Number of Fibonacci and the golden number, a particularity present in the biology that we have already mentioned once in Science Daily Online.In the case of sunflowers, it They are about Fibonacci spirals based on connected quarters, which if we check it, could be drawn within a series of squares, which in turn form a certain sequence.
As you can see, the Sunflowers, or the marigold flower, are truly fascinating plants...
Image: Brook Ward
Comments
Post a Comment