question_answer 7)

Name important defence mechanisms in plants against herbivory. 

Answer:

Many plants develop thick cuticle on their leaf surfaces. • In some plants the leaves are modified into spines to protect themselves from browsing herbivores e.g. Leaf-spines in Opuntia while Bougainvillea, and Duranta have stem thorns; and Acacia has leaf-stipular spines. • Many plants produce and store toxic chemicals which cause discomforts to the herbivores e.g. cardiac glycosides by Calotropis (Ak plant);" nicotine by tobacco, etc.