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Despite being bathed in solar rays all day, plants have a remarkable ability to avoid sunburn.

Now researchers in Indiana have uncovered the process that makes these plants create natural sunscreen.

They claim the study could help scientists create lotions that offer better protection from solar rays.

Despite being bathed in its rays all day, plants have a remarkable ability to avoid sunburn. Now researchers in Indiana have uncovered the process that makes these plants create natural sunscreen

'The harsh ultraviolet radiation plants are exposed to daily can cause serious damage to plant DNA and, as a result, hinder plant growth,' said Timothy Zwier from Purdue University. 

The latest study revealed plants produce special molecules and send them to the outer layer of their leaves to protect themselves from damaging ultraviolet rays.

These molecules, named sinapate esters, block ultraviolet-B radiation from penetrating deeper into leaves where it might damage the plant's development. 

'To me the beautiful thing is nature has a sunscreen itself,' Professor Zwier told MailOnline.

Researchers claim the study could help scientists create lotions that offer better protection from solar rays

'We always think the leaves want every bit of light they can get, but they have to use certain wavelengths efficiently.' 

Other studies had been collecting evidence that suggests sinapate esters are protective molecules, but until now, no one has investigated what happens to them under the sun's rays

In the study, the researchers coaxed the molecules into the gas phase and exposed them to UVB radiation from a laser in the laboratory.

BAD NEWS FOR VEGETARIANS: PLANTS 'HEAR' THEMSELVES BEING EATEN

A study has found plants can identify sounds nearby

Most people don't give a second thought when tucking into a plate of salad.

But perhaps we should be a bit more considerate when chomping on lettuce, as scientists have found that plants actually respond defensively to the sounds of themselves being eaten.

The researchers at the University of Missouri found that plants can identify sounds nearby, such as the sound of eating, and then react to the threats in their environment.

'Previous research has investigated how plants respond to acoustic energy, including music,' said Heidi Appel, senior research scientist in the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Missouri.

'However, our work is the first example of how plants respond to an ecologically relevant vibration.

'We found that "feeding vibrations" signal changes in the plant cells' metabolism, creating more defensive chemicals that can repel attacks from caterpillars.'

They found that the particular sinapate ester that plants use as a screen against UVB was capable of absorbing radiation at every wavelength across the UVB spectrum.

The natural sunblock is remarkably efficient at absorbing harsh radiation that could otherwise damage the plant.

It's also very similar to the sunblock humans use to protect themselves against the sun's rays.  

As well as having a natural sunblock, separate research in Bonn, Germany, found plants give off a gas when under 'attack'.

Super-sensitive microphones picked up a 'bubbling' sound from a healthy plant. But this rose to a piercing screech when it was under threat.

'The more a plant is subjected to stress, the louder the signal,' said Dr Frank Kühnemann.

Plants do not actually scream in pain, but different sounds are heard when the gas they emit, ethylene, is bombarded with lasers.

The research could help to work out which pieces of fruit and vegetables are likely to stay fresh longer, as a cucumber which is starting to go off produces a squealing sound.

The sunblock is remarkably efficient at absorbing harsh radiation that could otherwise damage the plant