Bioelectricity and the rhythms of sensitive plants - The biophysical research of Jagadis Chandra Bose

Nearly a hundred years ago, J. C Bose began biophysical experiments on plan ts and came to some far-reaching conclusions. He was the first to recognize the ubiquitous importance of electrical signalling between plant cells in co-ordinating responses to the environment. He may have been the first to d iscover electrical 'pulsations' or oscillations in electric potentials and he proved that these were coupled with rhythmic movements in the telegraph plant Desmodium. Base theorized that regular wave-like 'pulsations' in cell electric potential and turgor pressure were an endogenous form of cell sig nalling. He put forth a radical theory for the mechanism of the ascent of s ap, based on electromechanical activities of living cells. Bose's place in history has now been re-evaluated, and he is credited with the invention of the first wireless detection device and the discovery of millimetre length electromagnetic waves. This paper is a re-appraisal of some of his neglect ed research into plants.