Question

there is a wide range of defenses against predation and herbivory. Describe these and give examples

Answer 1

Defense mechanisms in every stage have developed due to co-evolution of different species belonging to the same ecoystem. Defense against predation will involve the prey and predator relationship. For example a zebra or a buffalo will be prey and a tiger, lion, cheetah will be predator. The prey will develope mechanisms to escape the deadly claws of the predator. So these animal (herbivores) can run very fast and have strong forlimbs and hindlimbs to run away from their predators. Camouflaging is also a method to protect themselves. Like zebra has strips that help them blend in the grasslands where they graze mostly.

Defense against herbivory is the defense mechanisms adapted by plants that want to protect themselves from being eaten by herbivores. Plants cant run away from the herbivores, so they have to develop mechanisms to repel animals. They secret pungent copounds or excrete substnces that harm the herbivore feeding on it. For example glucosinolates are secondary metabolites that are released when animal cuts and chews the leaves of such plants, mustard family plants. These compounds are pungent and damage the gut wall of these animals. for example phenol glycosides are strong metabolites against herbivores and deter them from feeding such plants. Another exampe is Acacia which have ants living inside them as in sysmbiosis. The ant attack the herbivores and the plant provides the ants with food and shelter.