Plant communication and Co-evolution

Question 1

(1) Suggest how these bamboo plants benefit from having poisonous leaves.

Answer 1

They’re less likely to be eaten

Question 2

(2) Explain how the co-evolution of bamboo plants and the greater bamboo lemur could have occurred.

Answer 2

the bamboo mutated to produce cyanide (1)
or
bamboo plants that produced cyanide survived to reproduce/ increase in numbers/increase in size(1)
and
mutation in greater bamboo lemur allowed them to tolerate cyanide (1)
or
greater bamboo lemurs get more food so survive to breed/reproduce (more) (1)

Question 3

(2) Some plants produce toxic tannins. Elk produce proteins in their saliva which bind to the tannins and make them inactive. This inter-relationship is a product of co-evolution. Describe the advantages to the elk of producing tannin-binding proteins in their saliva.

Answer 3

• protection (of female during birth / of young) / concealment (1)
• from predators / until strong enough (to fend for itself) (1)

Question 4

(2) The development of flower structure and insect behaviour is another example of co-evolution. Describe how this relationship benefits the plant.

Answer 4

• can eat plants which contain tannins (1)
• larger food supply (1)
• plants not consumed by other herbivores / less competition from other herbivores / animals (1)