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Science 14 January 1977:
Vol. 195. no. 4274, pp. 191 - 192
DOI: 10.1126/science.195.4274.191
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Articles

Experimental Separation of Sensory and Motor Functions in Pea Tendrils

M. J. JAFFE 1

1 Botany Department, Ohio University, Athens 45701

When illuminated pea tendrils from light-grown plants are rubbed on their abaxial side, they rapidly coil in a spiral fashion. If similar tendrils are held in the dark for 3 days and then rubbed, however, they will not coil until they are subsequently illuminated. They can remain uncoiled in the dark for as long as 2 hours after stimulation, and will still coil immediately when they are illuminated. Tendrils that are rubbed and held at 25°C will coil, but those treated at 5° or 10°C will not. However, tendrils rubbed at 25°C and kept from coiling for an hour at 5°C, will immediately coil when restored to the higher temperature. These observations are interpreted to imply separation of sensory and motor functions.

Submitted on June 30, 1976
Revised on August 17, 1976

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