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Insects Plant Responses Herbivory  Chemical Defences Tannins Phenol

Tannins are phenolic compounds with a bitter taste that are toxic to insects by binding to and inactivating digestive enzymes. Alkaloids are nitrogenous compounds that taste bitter and can act as drugs, affecting animal metabolism, such as caffeine which is toxic to fungi and insects and inhibits the germination of competing seeds. Terpenoids are toxins to insects and fungi.

Tannins are phenolic compounds that taste bitter to animals and are toxic to insects by deactivating digestive enzymes. Alkaloids are nitrogenous compounds with a bitter taste that can act as drugs, affecting animal metabolism, like caffeine which harms fungi and insects and inhibits competing seeds. Terpenoids are toxic to both insects and fungi.

Front Plant responses to herbivory - Chemical defences
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  • tannins - phenol with bitter taste for animals and toxic for insects (bind to digestive enzymes in saliva, inactivating them)
  • alkaloids - nitrogenous compound that tastes bitter, can act as drugs (affecting metabolism of animal) e.g caffeine (toxic to fungi/insects and spreads through soil to prevent germination of other seeds to protect aginst competition)
  • terpenoids - toxins to insects and fungi

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