Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Plants Eavesdrop for Defense Purposes
Yahoo!News ^ | March 6, 2006 | LiveScience Staff

Posted on 03/06/2006 12:27:28 PM PST by mlc9852

When sagebrush is damaged by insects, it broadcasts the predator's presence by releasing odors into the air. Other sagebrush pick up on the smells from their wounded brethren and get their defenses going.

Turns out wild tobacco plants eavesdrop on these signals.

The tobacco uses the knowledge to fortify its own defenses. Then it waits to deploy the arsenal if and only if the insect attacks. By holding off on deployment, the tobacco retains vital energy for other important tasks.

The proteins and chemicals used for defense contain nitrogen and carbon, which also are needed to produce seeds. It's a classic guns vs. butter tradeoff.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: coolbeans

1 posted on 03/06/2006 12:27:29 PM PST by mlc9852
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: mlc9852

"Intelligence in plants and vegetables is an old story, Mr. Scott. Older even than the animal arrogance that has overlooked it." (Source: The Thing from Another World [1951])

2 posted on 03/06/2006 12:52:15 PM PST by Muleteam1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson