Scientists have been looking into plants that can ward off unwanted intruders like Cruciferous. This plant uses a system called mustard oil bomb to get rid of their enemies. If the plant tissue is broken or eaten away at, glucosinolates and an enzyme know as myrosinase come into contact. When they come into contact the create a toxic metabolite. This has the power to deter most insects. But there is a bug that has found a way to eat this plant without dying a horrible death. the flea beetle is able to eat the plant without setting off the chemicals the plant uses to make its bomb.
Nos Themes:
1) Science is collaborative: This was discovered by many different types of scientists.
2)Science is based on evidence: They had to do a lot of feel work to understand what was really happening with this type of plant and bug.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140508100817.htm
There are a lot of reasons that this article is very interesting. I think that it is so cool that the evolutionary traits of these plants are so diverse and creative. It is also equally interesting that a bug has evolved even further to be able to still eat this plant. If I had to guess, in a long period of time this plant would get some form of further evolution to counter this bug. Great article!
ReplyDeleteA similar plant to this may be a Venus Fly Trap, except a Venus Fly Trap consumes the insect and is "carnivorous," whereas this plant seems to kill bugs for self-defense. Also, this plant is less physical, as it uses a chemical to kill the bug whereas a Fly Trap uses it's jaw-like structure to trap and consume it's victims. Overall, I found both plants to be pretty similar in the fact that they have special features so they can kill bugs.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting development to the environment. The bug has been able to develop a way to get around the plants defense system that has kept it safe for likely 1000's of years. What will be interesting is seeing how this plant will eventually adapt to not allow this bug to eat its leaves
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