Jennifer Ebeling#November 26, 1678
#OTD Birth of Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan, #French #Chronobiologist.
In 1729, Mairan proved that #Plants had a #Circadian rhythm by putting a #Mimosa pudica plant - the #Heliotrope - in constant darkness in a cupboard. Then he recorded the plant's natural #Rhythm of
opening & closing its leaves - even without access to #Sunlight.
Mairan's work established the foundation for #Chronobiology or the internal circadian clock.