Question

A bush grows in the deserts of the southwestern United States. A common trait of the plant is the ability to produce poisons that keep predators and competing plants away.

This trait became common because, compared with individual plants lacking poisons,
individual plants with poisons were better able to do which of the following?
A. Store nectar and pollen.
B. Store water in the stems
C. Survive and reproduce.
D. Produce fruit.

Answer 1

Plants that produce poisons are better able to survive and reproduce in their environment, as this characteristic acts as a defense mechanism, enhancing their ability to compete and avoid predation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The common trait of the plant in question, which is its ability to produce poisons that deter predators and inhibit the growth of competing plants, primarily aids the plant in its ability to survive and reproduce. Evolutionary success is measured by an organism's ability to pass on its genes, and in this case, the production of toxic substances has proven beneficial to the plant's competitive advantage in the harsh desert environment.

This chemical defense mechanism is a result of natural selection, where plants that could produce toxins were less likely to be eaten and more likely to survive and produce offspring. Over time, these characteristics became more common in the population.