Skip to content
MathsGenie logo
Open app

Course home

  1. A Level
  2. Biology OCR A
  3. Question bank

Plant and animal responses

EasyMediumHard
123456789101112
Question 8

The lima bean plant, Phaseolus lunatus, is often attacked by the spider mite Tetranychus urticae. This herbivorous pest damages the plant by feeding on its leaves.

The predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis is a natural predator of T. urticae. It feeds on these pest spider mites, reducing their numbers.

When its leaves are damaged by T. urticae, the plant P. lunatus releases volatile organic compounds, including methyl salicylate. This compound attracts P. persimilis to the infested plants.

Which of the following explain(s) why P. lunatus releases methyl salicylate?

  1. methyl salicylate release reduces herbivory in P. lunatus
  2. methyl salicylate release increases predation of T. urticae by P. persimilis
  3. methyl salicylate release increases the survival rate of T. urticae

1, 2 and 3

Only 1 and 2

Only 2 and 3

Only 1

Plant and animal responses Questions

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