Plant Behaviour and Intelligence

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Anthony Trewavas (Emeritus Professor, Emeritus Professor, University of Edinburgh, FRS)

Plant Behaviour and Intelligence

Anthony Trewavas (Emeritus Professor, Emeritus Professor, University of Edinburgh, FRS)

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English

Oxford University Press
23 July 2015

Mathematics & Sciences; Botany & plant sciences; Plant physiology; Animal behaviour

This book provides a convincing argument for the view that whole cells and whole plants growing in competitive wild conditions show aspects of plant behaviour that can be accurately described as 'intelligent'. Trewavas argues that behaviour, like intelligence, must be assessed within the constraints of the anatomical and physiological framework of the organism in question. The fact that plants do not have centralized nervous systems for example, does not exclude intelligent behaviour. Outside the human dimension, culture is thought largely absent and fitness is the biological property of value. Thus, solving environmental problems that threaten to reduce fitness is another way of viewing intelligent behaviour and has a similar meaning to adaptively variable behaviour. The capacity to solve these problems might be considered to vary in different organisms, but variation does not mean absence. By extending these ideas into a book that allows a critical and amplified discussion, the author hopes to raise an awareness of the concept of purposive behaviour in plants.

By: Anthony Trewavas (Emeritus Professor Emeritus Professor University of Edinburgh FRS)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 246mm, Width: 189mm, Spine: 14mm
Weight: 658g
ISBN: 9780198753681
ISBN 10: 0198753683
Publication Date: 23 July 2015
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

1: A feeling for the organism 2: Plant behaviour foundations 3: The origins of photosynthesis. 1.What are the salient characteristics of living systems? 4: The origins of photosynthesis. 2. The evolution of life and photosynthesis 5: Why did plants become multicellular? 6: Convergent evolution is common in plant systems 7: Are angiosperms more complex than mammals? 8: Plant behaviour: first intimations of self organisation 9: The varieties of plant behaviour 10: The self organising plant: lessons from swarm intelligence 11: Self-organisation: Cambium as the integration assessor 12: Self-organising capacity in leaf behaviour 13: Self-organisation and behaviour in root systems 14: Self-organisation in response to gravity 15: Signals other than gravity 16: Behavioural characteristics of seeds: elements of dormancy 17: Games plants play 18: Competition and cooperation between individual plants for mates and territory: the recognition of self 19: The nature of intelligent behaviour: cognition or adaptation? 20: Brains and nerve cells are not necessary for intelligent behaviour 21: Intelligent genomes 22: Cellular basis of intelligent behaviour 23: Cell organisation and protein networks 24: Instinct, reflex and conditioned behaviours: characteristics of plant behaviour? 25: Intelligence and consciousness 26: Intelligent foraging?