A hummingbird can beat its wings at 50 beats per second, which is so fast that it looks like a buzzing blur in the air. Hummingbirds are also able to zoom up to a flower at 40 kilometres per hour (24 miles per hour) and stop in an instant.
Sensitive flower
Sensitive flower Much research has been done recently on the
"senses" of plants. They have been found to respond to changes in
light, sounds, touch, and can "taste" chemicals. By seeing" light,
a plant can adjust its development to optimize growth and survival.
Tasting" soil with their roots helps plants find vital nutrients
and encourages root growth towards those sources of nutrients.
Using a sense of "smell" can help plants defend themselves against
wounding. Researchers found that when they painted the leaves of
plants with a toxic substance, neighbouring plants as well as the
painted plants produced defensive genes. The painted plants gave
off a particular chemical "smell" and the other plants could
"sniff" it and prepare their defense systems. Some plants also have
very specialized senses of touch. Climbing species wind their
tendrils around strong supports and venus fly traps snap shut at
the touch of an insect. Many people suggest that playing music to
plants can help them to grow. Plants have been found to respond to
certain sound frequencies. It is believed that these frequencies
help to synthesize acids in the plant which help its growth and
germination. This research shows that plants are much more aware of
their environment than was previously thought! 26 SEPTEMBER 1998, P. 24-28
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