Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

37. Plant Sensation and Response

Plant Defenses

General Biology

37. Plant Sensation and Response

Plant Defenses

Previous problemNext problem

1:03 minutes

Problem 19

Textbook Question

A plant biologist observed a peculiar pattern when a tropical shrub was attacked by caterpillars. After a caterpillar ate a leaf, it would skip over nearby leaves and attack a leaf some distance away. Simply removing a leaf did not trigger the same change nearby. The biologist suspected that a damaged leaf sent out a chemical that signaled other leaves. How could this hypothesis be tested?

Verified step by step guidance

Formulate a clear hypothesis: The biologist hypothesizes that a damaged leaf releases a chemical signal that deters caterpillars from eating nearby leaves.

Design an experiment: Divide the shrub into two groups of leaves. In the experimental group, damage a leaf and collect any chemicals released by it. In the control group, do not damage any leaves.

Apply the chemical: Take the chemical collected from the damaged leaf and apply it to undamaged leaves on a different shrub. Leave other leaves untreated as a control.

Introduce caterpillars: Place caterpillars on the shrub with both treated and untreated leaves. Observe whether the caterpillars avoid the treated leaves and prefer the untreated ones.

Analyze the results: Compare the feeding patterns of the caterpillars on treated versus untreated leaves. If the treated leaves are avoided, it supports the hypothesis that the damaged leaf releases a chemical signal.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Plant Communication

Plants can communicate with each other through various means, including chemical signals. When a leaf is damaged, it can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that serve as warning signals to nearby plants, prompting them to activate their defense mechanisms. This phenomenon illustrates how plants can respond to threats in their environment, enhancing their survival.

Chemical Ecology

Chemical ecology studies the role of chemicals in interactions between organisms and their environment. In the context of the question, the focus is on how plants use chemical signals to communicate distress or damage. Understanding these chemical interactions can help researchers design experiments to test hypotheses about plant responses to herbivory.

Experimental Design

To test the biologist's hypothesis, a well-structured experimental design is essential. This could involve controlled experiments where damaged leaves are isolated and the responses of nearby leaves are monitored. By manipulating variables and observing outcomes, researchers can determine if the chemical signals from damaged leaves influence the behavior of other leaves in the vicinity.