A caterpillar eats a leaf of a plant. The next day it crawls to a nearby leaf to eat. But after eating the second leaf, the caterpillar gets very sick and falls off the plant. Which of the following molecules were involved in the plant's ability to defend itself against the second attack?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed, proteinase inhibitors, systemin, and jasmonic acid, are involved in a plant's defense mechanisms against herbivores or pests. Proteinase inhibitors disrupt the digestive processes of the herbivore, systemin is a signaling molecule that activates defense genes, and jasmonic acid is involved in signaling pathways that lead to the production of defense compounds.

A Caterpillar Eats a Leaf of a Plant