Question
Weeping Willows do not Weep
A. Gautam
Although some scientists have argued otherwise, plants cannot necessarily feel pain. Plants do not have a brain or a central nervous system which can allow this to happen. Humans and animals sense pain through sensory nerve cells, which pass information from the senses in order to smell, see, hear, taste, and touch. Plants may show a response, but that doesn’t mean they “feel” pain. Plants process information only at a cellular level. They do not have a complex system like humans and animals.
Research shows that when an aphid attacks a leaf, it sends an electrical signal that travels from leaf to leaf. It tells the plant to start protecting itself. This communication doesn’t actually mean that the plants sense pain. Plants recognize what is happening and even warn of the attack to other parts of the plant. However, this is different from feeling pain.
Pain is a defense mechanism. In other words, it is a reaction. Plants to do not have a biological need to feel pain. Plants cannot protect or defend themselves; therefore, they cannot feel pain. There are some exceptions, like the venus flytrap, which shows plants’ more advanced sensory abilities. A plant called mimosa pudica closes up when someone touches its leaves. This is still limited to processing signals and not necessarily feeling anything. Venus flytraps and mimosa pudica have a specific organ for movement. It is called a pulvinus. Other plants do not have it. However, even pulvinus only reacts to touch at a cellular level.
When we think that mowing the lawn or cutting a branch is inflicting pain, we are transferring human feelings to plants. Uprooting a carrot or trimming a hedge is not hurting a plant. Therefore, you shouldn’t doubt yourself while biting into an apple. A wilting plant or a chewed-up leaf is not weeping in pain. Plants do not suffer. Their cycles simply begin in life and end in death.
Question
Which quote from the text is irrelevant to plants’ ability to feel pain?
Responses
A "Plants cannot protect or defend themselves; therefore, they cannot feel pain.""Plants cannot protect or defend themselves; therefore, they cannot feel pain."
B "Plants do not have a brain or a central nervous system which can allow this to happen.""Plants do not have a brain or a central nervous system which can allow this to happen."
C "Their cycles simply begin in life and end in death.""Their cycles simply begin in life and end in death."
D "When we think that mowing the lawn or cutting a branch is inflicting pain, we are transferring human feelings to plants."
A. Gautam
Although some scientists have argued otherwise, plants cannot necessarily feel pain. Plants do not have a brain or a central nervous system which can allow this to happen. Humans and animals sense pain through sensory nerve cells, which pass information from the senses in order to smell, see, hear, taste, and touch. Plants may show a response, but that doesn’t mean they “feel” pain. Plants process information only at a cellular level. They do not have a complex system like humans and animals.
Research shows that when an aphid attacks a leaf, it sends an electrical signal that travels from leaf to leaf. It tells the plant to start protecting itself. This communication doesn’t actually mean that the plants sense pain. Plants recognize what is happening and even warn of the attack to other parts of the plant. However, this is different from feeling pain.
Pain is a defense mechanism. In other words, it is a reaction. Plants to do not have a biological need to feel pain. Plants cannot protect or defend themselves; therefore, they cannot feel pain. There are some exceptions, like the venus flytrap, which shows plants’ more advanced sensory abilities. A plant called mimosa pudica closes up when someone touches its leaves. This is still limited to processing signals and not necessarily feeling anything. Venus flytraps and mimosa pudica have a specific organ for movement. It is called a pulvinus. Other plants do not have it. However, even pulvinus only reacts to touch at a cellular level.
When we think that mowing the lawn or cutting a branch is inflicting pain, we are transferring human feelings to plants. Uprooting a carrot or trimming a hedge is not hurting a plant. Therefore, you shouldn’t doubt yourself while biting into an apple. A wilting plant or a chewed-up leaf is not weeping in pain. Plants do not suffer. Their cycles simply begin in life and end in death.
Question
Which quote from the text is irrelevant to plants’ ability to feel pain?
Responses
A "Plants cannot protect or defend themselves; therefore, they cannot feel pain.""Plants cannot protect or defend themselves; therefore, they cannot feel pain."
B "Plants do not have a brain or a central nervous system which can allow this to happen.""Plants do not have a brain or a central nervous system which can allow this to happen."
C "Their cycles simply begin in life and end in death.""Their cycles simply begin in life and end in death."
D "When we think that mowing the lawn or cutting a branch is inflicting pain, we are transferring human feelings to plants."
Answers
GPT-4o mini
C "Their cycles simply begin in life and end in death."