Because ant-plants must continually provide sugars, protein, and fats to ensure a large enough population of defending ants when herbivores attack, ant defense could be considered a(n) _____ form of defense.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Constitutive defenses are those that are always present in the plant, regardless of whether there is a threat present. Since ant-plants must continually provide for their defending ants to maintain a ready defense against herbivores, this type of defense is considered constitutive, as it is not induced by the presence of a threat but is a constant feature of the plant.

Because Ant-Plants Must Continually Provide Sugars, Protein, and Fats to Ensure