Why don't plants have high levels of defense compounds all the time?
Question:
Why don't plants have high levels of defense compounds all the time?
Herbivory:
Herbivory is a process in which insects, animals, or other organisms consume plants to obtain energy. To combat herbivory, plants often produce toxic or foul-tasting molecules called defense compounds.
Answer and Explanation: 1
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View this answerDefense compounds are produced in order to protect plants from consumption by herbivores. However, it is energetically costly for plants to...
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Chapter 39 / Lesson 12Plants have defense mechanisms that activate when they are threatened by herbivores or infected by pathogens. Learn about different attacks on plants, their defense mechanisms against herbivores, and their defense mechanisms against pathogens.