BIOL 2Q04 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Herbivore, Leaf Mold, Coevolution
2 Dec 2015
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Document Summary
Predation in which an animal preys on plants. Plants can"t move, so must adapt ways to escape . Chemicals not directly involved in primary metabolic pathways, that function to repel herbivores. Reduced vigor of the plant due to loss of foliage and subsequent loss of roots. Reallocation of plant energy to replace leaves and shoots eaten by herbivores. Rapid turnover rates as plants respond to herbivory. Pants divert energy and nutrients from other needs. Much evidence supports the hypothesis that secondary substances are deterrents of herbivory. Secondary metabolites are synthesized at a cost to the plant. Plants allocate defenses against herbivores in a manner that maximizes plant fitness, and defenses are costly to produce. Unapparent plants are harder to find (small, rare, short-lived) Type of defense depends on how easily a herbivore can find the. Assumes genetic variation in plants for secondary compounds. Quantitative inhibitors: produced by the plant in large quantities.
