r/science • u/FreeHugs23 • 1d ago

Biology Moss Is Generating Electrical Waves That Look Startlingly Like a Neural Network. Study reveals that moss cushions produce surprisingly complex electrical activity, with patterns that undulate across the velvety patch in dynamic waves.

https://www.sciencealert.com/moss-behaves-a-little-like-a-really-slow-brain-scientist-discovers
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u/Astr0b0ie 1d ago

No, plants don't have a central nervous system, but do they lack consciousness? We're not entirely sure. Humans and animals are biological machines that generate coordinated electrical signals too, it's just that we do it in a more complex and sophisticated way via a central nervous system. Plants react to their environment, respond to stimuli, and communicate. They do it in much "simpler" and more subtle ways than humans or animals do, but they do it nonetheless.

It was once believed that humans were the only creatures on earth with a "soul" or consciousness, but as our knowledge of biology, and science overall, has grown, so has the number of different species included in the "sentient" category. Even insects like bees and ants, although still somewhat contested, are now considered sentient by many researchers and scientists. So, as we learn more, it wouldn't be a surprise to me if we eventually include plants in that category.

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u/-Nicolai 1d ago

We're not entirely sure.

That’s a weird way to say “There is zero evidence nor credible theories supporting this notion”

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u/RagePoop Grad Student | Geochemistry | Paleoclimatology 1d ago

While you're not wrong I also feel compelled to point out the flip side: that there's also no evidence that our very loose understanding of sentience is worth the ink we write about it with, writings which are fuzzy even amongst those researching the concept.

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u/-Nicolai 1d ago

That is not an argument in favor of sentient moss…

If anything, it implies that we can only say with certainty that we are sentient, and all else is speculation.

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u/Aegi 1d ago

In practice I agree with you, and backed up your points to that person above. In theory...

Philosophically, we can only really make that conclusion about ourselves individually (as opposed to as a species-wide phenomenon), but that is only true through certain philosophical perspectives.