Plant Adaptations and Defenses

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on plant adaptations and defenses.

What are plant defenses adaptations that improve?

Survival

What do herbivores primarily eat?

Plants

What do chemical defenses in plants generally use?

Secondary metabolites

Which of the following is NOT a chemical defense compound?

Cellulose

How are physical defenses best described?

External structures

What is an example of a physical defense in plants?

Spine

How can plants sense herbivore attacks?

Through touch

What do poikilohydric organisms depend on?

Surrounding moisture

How do Antarctic plants often survive?

By entering dormancy

What controls dormancy in Antarctic algae?

Temperature

From which part of the plant did desert prickly pear spines evolve?

Leaves

How do spines help desert plants?

By reducing herbivory

Raphides are made of what substance?

Calcium oxalate

What are trichomes in plants best described as?

Hairs

What type of defense does Phacelia provide with its trichomes?

Both chemical and physical defenses

What is the main chemical present in Phacelia trichomes?

Geranyl hydroquinone

What harmful effect does dumb cane cause?

Temporary speech loss

How do pitcher plants trap insects?

Using slippery surfaces

What is the function of nectar in pitcher plants?

To attract prey

How do Acacia trees defend themselves?

With thorns and ants

What do Acacia trees use to warn nearby trees?

Airborne chemicals

What is the poisonous substance released by Acacia leaves?

Alkaloid

Acacia trees have a symbiotic relationship with what?

Ants

Giant water lily leaves are supported by?

Thick spongy veins

Plant defenses are examples of what?

Adaptations

What is found on the underside of giant water lily leaves?

Hairs

What do spines on water lilies mainly protect against?

Herbivores

What is NOT considered a selective pressure?

Random mutation

What does directional selection favor?

One extreme

Chemical defenses do NOT involve what?

Growth

How do spines deter herbivores?

By injuring them

Which environment has high UV-B radiation?

Desert

What adaptation helps reduce water loss in plants?

Needle-like leaves

Alkaloids in plants are classified as what?

Chemical defenses

What does herbivory directly select for?

Defense traits

Which plant uses both chemical and physical defenses?

Phacelia

What do plants that survive better do?

Pass on traits

Where are calcium oxalate crystals commonly found?

In Dumb cane

Adaptations in plants develop over?

Many generations

What structure injects toxins in Phacelia?

Trichomes

Plants in deserts often have what characteristics?

Spines

Which defense mechanism can cause paralysis in predators?

Venom-like enzyme

What does mutualism benefit?

Both species

Acacia ants benefit by receiving?

Nectar and shelter

What adaptation limits water evaporation in plants?

Thick cuticle

Which defense mechanism is considered internal?

Alkaloids

Plant defense traits are shaped by?

Selective pressures

What is the main purpose of plant defenses?

To improve survival