Who Discovered that Plants also have Life?

The person who discovered that plants also have life is Jan Baptista van Helmont. He was a Flemish chemist, physiologist, and physician who lived from 1579 to 1644. Van Helmont is considered one of the pioneers of modern chemistry and is known for his contributions to the understanding of plant physiology.

Van Helmont's Experiment

Van Helmont conducted an experiment in the early 17th century to understand the growth of plants. He wanted to determine the sources of the substances that make up plant mass. To do this, he carefully measured the weight of a young willow tree and the soil in which it was planted.

The Experiment Process
1. He took a pot and filled it with a known weight of dry soil.
2. He planted a young willow tree in the pot and watered it regularly.
3. Van Helmont made sure that the tree received no additional sources of mass besides water and the soil.
4. After five years, he uprooted the tree, removed the soil, and weighed it again.
5. To his surprise, the weight of the tree had increased significantly, while the soil remained almost unchanged.

The Conclusion

Based on his experiment, Jan Baptista van Helmont concluded that the increase in the weight of the tree could not be accounted for by the soil alone. He realized that plants must obtain their nourishment from sources other than the soil, and that they have the ability to convert water and air into plant tissues. This groundbreaking discovery challenged the prevailing belief at the time that plants solely obtained their nutrients from the soil.

Impact of Van Helmont's Discovery

Van Helmont's experiment paved the way for a deeper understanding of plant physiology and photosynthesis. His work challenged traditional notions about the source of plant mass and highlighted the importance of water and air in plant growth. His discovery laid the foundation for future research in the field of botany and has had a profound impact on our understanding of plants and their life processes.

In conclusion, Jan Baptista van Helmont discovered that plants also have life by conducting an experiment that demonstrated their ability to gain mass from sources other than the soil. His findings revolutionized the field of plant physiology and contributed to our understanding of how plants grow and thrive.