Question

How do plants prevent penetration?

A)Activation of defense genes
B)Production of toxic compounds
C)Formation of physical barriers
D)All of the above

Answer 1

Plants use a combination of physical barriers, the activation of defense genes, and the production of toxic compounds to prevent penetration and protect themselves against predators and pathogens.

Step-by-step explanation:

Plants prevent penetration by employing a combination of strategies. These include the formation of physical barriers such as bark, waxy cuticle, thorns, and spines which protect against predators and discourage herbivory. If these exterior protections are breached, plants also activate defense genes and produce toxic compounds that may include enzymes or phytoalexins to kill invaders, induce an 'hypersensitive response', or deter consumption by being poisonous to the herbivore. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is D) All of the above.