The Hard Mineral Silica Plates Found in Some Grasses Is

The hard mineral silica plates found in some grasses is an effective defense because silica:

A) does not taste good, so herbivores don't feed on the grass that contains it.
B) is abrasive and wears down insect mouth parts, so insects feed less efficiently and more slowly.
C) is a chemical defense that is toxic to most herbivores.
D) is able to be consumed by herbivores and used to deter their predators.
E) binds to proteins and prevents their uptake from the guts of herbivores.