Question

What are some strategies plants use to defend against herbivores?

Answer 1

Plants have developed several strategies to defend against herbivores. Some common defense mechanisms include:

1. Physical barriers such as thorns, spines, and tough outer layers.
2. Chemical defenses like producing toxins or bitter-tasting compounds.
3. Mimicry where plants resemble other organisms that are harmful to herbivores.
4. Trapping mechanisms like sticky surfaces to capture insects.
5. Indirect defenses such as emitting volatile compounds to attract predators of herbivores. By employing these strategies, plants can better protect themselves from being eaten by herbivores.