How plants tell time - Dasha Savage
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TEDEd Animation
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Morning glories unfurl their petals like clockwork in the early morning. A closing white waterlily signals that it’s late afternoon. And moon flowers, as their name suggests, only bloom under the night sky. What gives plants this innate sense of time? Dasha Savage investigates how circadian rhythms act as an internal timekeeper for flora and fauna alike.
Circadian rhythms are especially important in the beginning of a plant's life. Until their phytochromes perceive the presence of light, seed sprouts grow tall and long, and do not produce any green pigment. As soon as they reach light, they begin to produce green pigment and broader leaves. What are the advantages of producing green pigment only after the presence of light?
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Dasha Savage
- Director Avi Ofer
- Animator Avi Ofer, Axel Bunge
- Script Editor Emma Bryce
- Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
- Narrator Addison Anderson
