16.3 Plant Responses To Herbivory Flashcards
What are common physical defences of plants to protect them herbivory?
Thorns
Barbs
Spikes
Spiny leaves
Fibrous and inedible tissue
Hairy leaves
Stings
What are the three types of chemical defences deployed by plants?
Tannins
Alkaloids
Terpenoids
What are tri homes?
Stinging hairs
What are tannins?
A phenol produced by many plants
How do tannins prevent herbivory?
Butter taste pits off animals from eating them
Toxic to insects
Bind to digestive enzymes in insect saliva and inactivates them
Where can things rich in plant tannins be found?
Tea and red wine
What are alkaloids?
Large group of very bitter tasting, NITROGENOUS compounds
What do alkaloids act as?
Drugs affecting metabolism / poisoning animal that takes them
What are examples of alakaloids?
Caffeine
Nicotine
Morphine
Cocaine
Is caffeine toxic?
Yes, to fungi and insects
What does the caffeine produced by coffee bushes do?
Spreads through soil and prevents germination of other types of plants
Protects against herbivores AND plant rivals
Where is nicotine produced?
Roots
Where is nicotine stored?
Vacuoles of leaf cells
What are terpenoids?
Large group of compounds produced by plants
Can form essential oils
Act as toxins to attacking fungi and insects
What is an example of a terpenoid?
Pyrethrin produced by chrysanthemums
