Why do cactuses and mushrooms have neurologically active compounds?

A. They are always so high that they don't mind the insects and mice eating them.
B. Humans are meant to ingest them.
C. They are trying to make their eaters quit eating them.
D. They have a sort of hive mind.



Answer :

Final answer:

Plants produce toxic compounds to deter predators while also attracting animals for dispersal. Animals like monarch butterflies acquire defensive chemicals from plants. This showcases the intricate chemical interactions in nature.


Explanation:

Plants synthesize toxic compounds to deter animals from feeding on them. These compounds, like alkaloids, can cause diseases and death in predators, discouraging predation. On the other hand, plants also produce sweet and nutritious metabolites to attract animals for dispersing pollen, fruit, or seeds, showcasing a co-evolutionary relationship.

Some insects, like monarch butterflies and poison dart frogs, acquire defensive chemicals from plants they consume. This one-sided interaction benefits the insects by deterring predation. Additionally, plants can receive defensive chemicals from fungal endophytes, completing a complex web of chemical interactions in nature.


Learn more about Plant defense mechanisms and chemical interactions in nature here:

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