Plants lack specialized acoustic organs, but their rigid cell walls and plasma membranes are embedded with Mechanosensitive Ion Channels (MSL & MCA). Sound waves traveling through air create periodic pressure variations (Sound Pressure Level in dB SPL) that induce micro-strains (µε) across cellular membranes.
When acoustic vibrations match cellular resonant frequencies (~200–300 Hz), mechanosensitive channel open probabilities increase, triggering a cytosolic Ca²⁺ influx. This calcium signaling cascade accelerates actin-myosin motility, boosting cytoplasmic streaming velocity and promoting organelle transport required for cell division and growth. Excessive decibel levels (>95 dB SPL) cause mechanical over-stretching, disrupting streaming and inducing acoustic stress response.