Final answer:
Trichomes are hair-like structures on plants that protect against herbivory and minimize water loss, confirming that they do help protect the plant from herbivorous insects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question relates to the role of trichomes in defending plants against herbivorous insects, which is indeed true. Trichomes are small hair-like projections on the surface of plant leaves and stems. These structures serve several defensive functions, such as:
- They can restrict insect movements, making it harder for insects to feed on the plant's surface.
- Trichomes may store toxic or bad-tasting compounds that deter insects and other herbivores from consuming the plant.
- They can reduce the rate of transpiration by blocking air flow across the leaf surface, which also minimizes water loss from the plant.
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is A) True, as trichomes do indeed play a role in protecting plants from herbivores.