Scientists have found that plants have intelligence and the ability to "solve problems"

A new study by American scientists shows that plants have a form of intelligence. They can solve problems by sensing when a neighboring plant is being eaten by insects.

During the study of goldenrod, scientists found that plants can adapt to threatening circumstances to avoid destruction. This may change people's perception of intelligence, writes the Daily Mail.

Many scientists view intelligence as having a central nervous system where electrical signals transmit messages to other nerves to process information. Plants, on the other hand, have a vascular system, which is a network of cells that transfers water, minerals, and nutrients for life and growth. Therefore, scientists are calling for a change in the definition of intelligence to include the ability to solve problems.

In previous studies, scientists have found that plants emit a high-frequency alarm sound when they are stressed, such as damage to leaves or stems.

The subject of recent research by American scientists has been the goldenrod, which is commonly found in North America, Europe, and Asia. When the plant is eaten by beetles, it releases a chemical that tells the insects that it is damaged and therefore not suitable for food. Interestingly, these volatile organic compounds were later discovered by neighboring goldenrod plants, which have developed the same defense mechanism.

"Depending on the information a plant receives from the environment, it changes its standard behavior. This fits our definition of intelligence," said Kessler, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University.

Research has also found that plants "sniff" a chemical that signals the presence of a pest. "The volatile emissions coming from a neighbor are a prediction of future herbivory. So plants can use the environment to predict the future situation and then act accordingly," Kessler added.

Scientists have also suggested that plants can count, make decisions, recognize their relatives, and even remember events.

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