Final answer:
Red and green bell peppers are fruits from the same plant, with red being the ripe version that is sweeter. They are called capsicum in Australia and contain capsaicin, which causes a spicy sensation, with varying levels of perceived heat depending on individual tolerance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Description Structure of Red Bell Peppers
It's a common misconception to classify red bell peppers as vegetables. In fact, red bell peppers, along with green bell peppers, originate from the same plant and both are technically fruits as they are derived from the ovary in the flower of the plant and contain seeds. Red bell peppers are simply fully ripened versions of green peppers and as they ripen, their sugar content increases making them sweeter. Globally, different cultures have their own names for these fruits, for instance, in Australia, they are known as capsicum.
The sensation of heat when eating peppers is due to the presence of capsaicin, which stimulates the same sensory receptors as heat. This causes the burning sensation associated with spicy foods. People's tolerance to capsaicin varies, hence some find it painful while others enjoy the heat.