BIOC61H3 Lecture 6: Lecture 6
Document Summary
We finished discussing the importance of chemical factors in determining herbivory from taking effect. All organisms die and decompose (pig example) and the importance of community ecology that occurs when things decompose. There are chemical factors that prevent the rapid decay as well as preventing organisms being feasted upon while they are still alive. If there are pharmacological affects that will affect the feasting animal then they won"t eat it i. e. caffeine, nicotine, and morphine will have quite sophisticated affects on the cns. They are all addictive as well as you know. There are 1,000s of chemicals that are routinely produced by plants. Microbes, fungi, algae, and animals also produce chemicals to prevent feasting by predatory organisms on them. The most sophisticated arsenals are made by plants probably because they can"t run away from anything. Saplings have to have some defence or they will be eaten completely.