Question

Assertion (A): An insect feeding on fruits of the Datura plant dies.
Reason (R): Plants secrete toxic substances for their self-defence.

• A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true but R is false.
• D. A is false but R is true.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Plants secrete two kinds of metabolites, i.e., primary and secondary metabolites. The primary metabolites help in the growth, development and reproduction of the plants. The secondary metabolites like alkaloids play a major role in defence mechanisms like prevention against herbivores and healing of plants. Datura plant secretes scopolamine a type of alkaloid which is poisonous. Hence, insects feeding on fruits of Datura will die due to poisoning.