Question

Name important defence mechanisms in plants against herbivory.

Answer 1

(i) Thorns, prickles, spines, etc., on stems and leaves that can injure or kill the grazer.

(ii) Very smooth, sticky or slippery leaves.

(iii) Hair or leaves with irritants.

(iv) Defensive compounds like resins, wax, lignins released onto the plant's surface, act as repellants.

(v) Alkaloids, terpenoids, cyanogenic glycosylates, etc., are poisonous chemicals released by plants.