Which of the following is the most likely plant response to an attack by herbivores?
A)leaf abscission to prevent further loss
B)early flowering to try to reproduce before being eaten
C)production of chemical compounds for defense or to attract predators
D)production of physical defenses,such as thorns

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When attacked by herbivores, plants are most likely to respond by producing chemical compounds for defense, such as toxins or compounds that attract predators or parasitoids to attack the herbivores. This is a common response across many different plant species, and allows the plant to defend itself more effectively than physical defenses, which can be easily circumvented by some herbivores. Leaf abscission and early flowering are not typically effective responses to herbivore attacks, and may not be possible depending on the time of year and the plant species. While some plants do produce physical defenses like thorns, this is less common than the production of chemical defenses.

Which of the Following Is the Most Likely Plant Response