Plant and animal responses

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Question 1
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Maize plants (Zea maysZea\ maysZea mays) are frequently attacked by the herbivorous larvae of the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exiguaSpodoptera\ exiguaSpodoptera exigua), which feed on the leaves and severely stunt plant growth.

In response to leaf damage and chemical signals present in the saliva of S. exiguaS.\ exiguaS. exigua, maize plants synthesize and release volatile organic compounds, such as the terpene (E)(E)(E)-β\betaβ-farnesene.

These volatiles are detected by the parasitoid wasp Cotesia marginiventrisCotesia\ marginiventrisCotesia marginiventris, which locates the infested maize plants and lays its eggs inside the larvae of S. exiguaS.\ exiguaS. exigua. The developing wasp larvae eventually kill the host caterpillars.

Which of the following statements explain(s) the adaptive benefit to Zea mays Zea\ mays\,Zea mays of releasing (E)(E)(E)-β\betaβ-farnesene?

  1. Release of (E)(E)(E)-β\betaβ-farnesene acts as an indirect defence that minimises subsequent loss of leaf area in Zea maysZea\ maysZea mays.
  2. Release of (E)(E)(E)-β\betaβ-farnesene increases the rate of parasitism of S. exigua S.\ exigua\,S. exigua larvae by C. marginiventrisC.\ marginiventrisC. marginiventris.
  3. Release of (E)(E)(E)-β\betaβ-farnesene increases the reproductive success of S. exiguaS.\ exiguaS. exigua.

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Plant and animal responses Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Biology
  3. /Plant and animal responses