Question

Organisms within a community have developed defenses against predators. Answer the following question using the choices provided. The answer choices may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
Monarch caterpillars consume milkweed plants. The poisons produced by the milkweed plants are stored in the monarch butterflies, making them distasteful to predators. This is an example of

• A. Aposematic coloration
• B. Batesian mimicry
• C. Cryptic coloration
• D. Chemical defense
• E. Both A and D

Answer 1

The correct option is D Chemical defense

A. Aposematic colouration is a type of defense mechanism, also known as warning coloration in which the color or pattern of a predator is perceived by an organism that the predator is harmful for him.

B. Batesian mimicry is a type of defense mechanism in which on organism protects itself from a predator by mimicking a organism that is otherwise safe from the predator.

C. Cryptic coloration is a type of defense mechanism in which an organism camouflage by blending its color with the background color of its environment to protect itself from the predator.

D. Chemical defense is a type of defense mechanism in which toxic chemicals are produced by the organism to protect itself from the predator.

Hence the statement given in the question that Monarch caterpillars consume milkweed plants and the poisons produced by the milkweed plants are stored in the monarch butterflies, making them distasteful to predators, is an example of Chemical defense.

So, the correct answer is 'Chemical defense'.