Robbie and Saurab are pre-med and pre-pharmacy students, respectively. They complain to their biology professor that they should
not have to study plants because plants have little relevance to their chosen professions. Which adaptations of land plants are likely to cause human health problems and provide Robbie with future patients? (A) sporophyte dominance and defenses against herbivory (B) defenses against herbivory and adaptations related to wind dispersal of pollen (C) sporophyte dominance and adaptations related to wind dispersal of pollen (D) sporophyte dominance, defenses against herbivory, and adaptations related to wind dispersal of pollen
Defenses against herbivory and adaptations related to wind dispersal of pollen are likely to cause human health problems.
<h3>What are defense responses against herbivores?</h3>
The first line of defense in plants is an intact and impenetrable barrier composed of bark and a waxy cuticle. Both protect plants against herbivores.
Other adaptations against herbivores include hard shells, thorns (modified branches), and spines (modified leaves).
They discourage animals by causing physical damage or by inducing rashes and allergic reactions.
Some Acacia tree species have developed mutualistic relationships with ant colonies: they offer the ants shelter in their hollow thorns in exchange for the ants’ defense of the tree’s leaves
