Institute of Molecular Plant Science, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3JH, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Protoplasma. 2021 May;258(3):673-679. doi: 10.1007/s00709-021-01633-1. Epub 2021 Mar 21.
Lacking an anatomical brain/nervous system, it is assumed plants are not conscious. The biological function of consciousness is an input to behaviour; it is adaptive (subject to selection) and based on information. Complex language makes human consciousness unique. Consciousness is equated to awareness. All organisms are aware of their surroundings, modifying their behaviour to improve survival. Awareness requires assessment too. The mechanisms of animal assessment are neural while molecular and electrical in plants. Awareness of plants being also consciousness may resolve controversy. The integrated information theory (IIT), a leading theory of consciousness, is also blind to brains, nerves and synapses. The integrated information theory indicates plant awareness involves information of two kinds: (1) communicative, extrinsic information as a result of the perception of environmental changes and (2) integrated intrinsic information located in the shoot and root meristems and possibly cambium. The combination of information constructs an information nexus in the meristems leading to assessment and behaviour. The interpretation of integrated information in meristems probably involves the complex networks built around [Ca]i that also enable plant learning, memory and intelligent activities. A mature plant contains a large number of conjoined, conscious or aware, meristems possibly unique in the living kingdom.
由于缺乏解剖学意义上的大脑/神经系统，人们普遍认为植物没有意识。意识的生物学功能是对行为的一种输入；它是适应性的（受选择影响），并基于信息。复杂的语言使人类意识具有独特性。意识等同于意识。所有生物都能感知周围环境，并调整自己的行为以提高生存能力。意识也需要评估。动物评估的机制是神经的，而植物的则是分子和电的。植物的意识也可能解决争议。综合信息理论（IIT）是意识的主要理论之一，它也忽视了大脑、神经和突触。该理论表明，植物的意识涉及两种信息：（1）作为对环境变化感知的结果的交流性外在信息，以及（2）位于茎尖和根分生组织中，可能还有形成层的整合内在信息。信息的组合在分生组织中构建了一个信息网络，从而导致评估和行为。对分生组织中综合信息的解释可能涉及围绕 [Ca]i 构建的复杂网络，这些网络还使植物能够进行学习、记忆和智能活动。成熟的植物包含大量连接在一起的、有知觉或有意识的分生组织，这些可能在生物界中是独一无二的。
