Suara.com – Humans and animals can feel physical pain due to the role of the nervous system in the body. How about plant?
Although fellow living things, plants do not have a nervous system. But as living things, plants can also feel pain and have their own way of defending themselves, you know.
In humans and animals, the nervous system plays a role in processing nuisance impulses in the body, which are then processed to the brain and spinal cord. Then there will be pain followed by a grimace response.
Whereas in plants, pain can also be felt when, for example, a leaf is eaten by a caterpillar. Plants have responses that are processed by a systemic signaling system.
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This system has a role similar to the nervous system in humans and animals in treating wounds.
Quoted from Ruang Guru, a researcher named Simon Gilroy once identified a systemic signaling system in plants through the administration of a protein called fluorescent. The protein will emit light if the level of calcium which is useful for conveying impulses increases.
Like when a caterpillar gnaws at a leaf, the leaf will release an amino acid called glutamate. Gradually, glutamate will activate calcium in all parts of the plant.
Furthermore, calcium which plays a role in conveying impulses will trigger the plant’s defense system. This will make the leaves feel bad so the caterpillars stop gnawing at the plant.
In addition to the above defense mechanisms, some plants also release volatile organic compounds. The compound serves to repel plant enemies and invite other animals to prey on the enemy.
Cotton plants for example, when attacked by enemies such as caterpillars and moths, will release compounds that attract the attention of wasps as predators of caterpillars and moths. That way, the cotton plant can be saved because the moths will be eaten by wasps.
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Even so, it is not known for sure whether the pain felt by plants is exactly the same as that felt by humans and animals when injured. But what is certain, the plant can know that it is injured and release a very fast defense response so that the wound does not get worse.
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