Are plants conscious and do they feel pain? | The Economist (Level 1)

Do plants have brains? No. But some scientists say plants are very smart. Plants can sense the world around them. For example, some vines can change their leaves to look like other plants. Plants can also hear. If a plant hears a bug eating leaves, it makes a special poison to protect itself. Plant roots can even hear water moving in pipes and grow toward it. Plants can also learn and remember. The sensitive plant closes its leaves when you touch it. But if you shake it safely many times, it learns it is not in danger. It remembers this for a month. Some people worry that plants feel pain when we eat them. Scientists say we do not need to worry. Pain helps animals run away, but plants cannot move. Many plants even want animals to eat their fruits to spread their seeds. So, it is safe to keep eating vegetables!