How do plants respond to herbivores?
Plants respond to herbivore attack through an intricate and dynamic defense system that includes structural barriers, toxic chemicals, and attraction of natural enemies of the target pests (Fig. 1). Both defense mechanisms (direct and indirect) may be present constitutively or induced after damage by the herbivores.
How do herbivores have evolved responses to plant defenses?
Herbivores generate enzymes that counter and reduce the effectiveness of numerous toxic secondary metabolic products produced by plants. One such enzyme group, mixed function oxidases (MFOs), detoxify harmful plant compounds by catalyzing oxidative reactions.
What are herbivore induced plant volatiles?
Herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are specific volatile organic compounds (VOC) that a plant produces in response to herbivory. Some HIPVs are only produced after damage, while others are also produced by intact plants, but in lower quantities.
What adaptations do herbivores have to digest plants?
Cell walls can make plant material difficult to digest. Many herbivorous mammals have wide molars. These big teeth help them grind up leaves and grasses. Carnivorous mammals, on the other hand, usually have long, sharp teeth that help them grab prey and rip it apart.
How could volatile compounds protect a plant?
Possible applications of plant VOCs in agriculture: isoprenoids emitted by leaves can exert a protective effect against abiotic stressors by quenching ROS or by strengthening the cell membranes; some VOCs are able to inhibit germination and growth of plant pathogens in vitro; herbivore repellency and attraction of …
How are herbivores adapted?
Herbivores have broad, flat molars (back teeth) with rough surfaces, which are used for grinding up tough plant tissues. Many herbivores (like squirrels) have chisel-like front teeth used for gnawing through wood or hard seeds. These teeth grow continually to avoid being worn down with use.
Why do herbivores only eat plants?
An herbivore is an animal or insect that only eats vegetation, such as grasses, fruits, leaves, vegetables, roots and bulbs. Herbivores only eat things that need photosynthesis to live. This excludes insects, spiders, fish and other animals.
Why are herbivores considered the predators of plants discuss any two Defence mechanisms of plants against herbivory?
Plants have morphological and chemical defenses against herbivory. Leaf modification into spines, presence of sharp thorns and spiny leaf margins are some of the morphological defenses. Chemical defense mechanisms include the production of phytoalexins and constitutive compounds by plants.
What are VOCs plants?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a major currency in plant communication where they mediate above- and below-ground interactions between plants and the surrounding organisms (i.e., other plants, microorganisms, pollinators, seed dispersers, herbivores, and their natural enemies).