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Film summary
Plants have developed an array of chemical, mechanical and mimicry methods to fight off predators, meaning that they are not as defenseless as they seem.Key facts
- Plants have evolved defense mechanisms to ward off hungry grazers.
- Mechanical defenses include spines and umbrella-shaped canopies.
- Chemical defenses include toxic chemicals released by stinging nettles.
- Some plants mimic others and just pretend to have defenses.
Transcript
Plants cannot run away from predators but, over millions of years of evolution, plants have developed complex defense mechanisms to deter or avoid them.
External structural defenses that discourage herbivores are known as mechanical defenses.
Mechanical defenses:
External physical adaptations
The acacia tree has developed long needle-spiked spines to deter grazers.
Acacia Tree …
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