Mutualistic Plant Relationships
Ants and plants are involved in thousands of mutualistic relationships. Within mutualistic plant-ant relationships, both parties gain benefits from the association (Davidson and Mckey 1993) It can be distinguished into two major groups, defense and dispersal. Defense is, when one species receives protection from another, and dispersal is basically just seed dispersal. There are many benefits for both the ants and the plants being involved in these types of relationships, for example, plants can provide food and shelter for the ants, ants protect the plants against herbivores and sometimes against parasites. To distribute their seeds, plant often enlist the help of animals to carry out their seed dispersal. But most importantly, ants play a major role in this seed dispersal, this is also known as myrmecoehory. And this vital for species survival. Myrmecoehory has always been regarded as a generalized interaction. But recently it’s been found that only a few species of ants are actually important for the dispersal of seeds. (Manzaneda and Rey, 2009). Ant-plant mutualistic relationships are usually characterized as generalized and facultative relationships (Bronstein, 1994).
Seed dispersal in mutualistic relationships is an essential component in the survival of plant species. It plays an essential role in community regeneration
…show more content…
This plant grows its flower rather unusually close to the ground, this makes it easier for the ants to reach the seed. These seeds also contain fat bodies, elaiosomes that the ants find attractive as they provide nutrients. The ants then carry these elaiosome seeds to their nests, where they ingest them and later discard of the seed, which are now at a more suitable site for germination to take place. From this ant-plant relationship, we can see that it is mutualistically beneficial. (Handel and Beattie,
Daphnia Lab
620 Words | 3 PagesAs a result, plants have adapted ways to protect themselves against their natural predators by implementing “defense mechanisms”. Such adaptations may be structural or chemical, where structural mechanisms are simply parts of plant structural arrangement, such as thorns. Chemical defense mechanisms are more complex, and involve production of retarding chemical compounds and toxins. These volatile compounds are often released when the plant is damaged, and have physical effects on the predator.
Pill Bug Attractancy Experiment
291 Words | 2 PagesThe overall purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of different types of environments on pill bug attractancy. Pill bugs were exposed to 2 different environments (sugar and water). The attractancy was observed and recorded in a raw data table. A research hypothesis was formulated that the sugar would work as the best attractant for pill bugs. Sugar had the greatest impact of the two environments used because it attracted 8/9 ants.
Conflict In The Bean Trees
1122 Words | 5 PagesHave you ever been in a tough situation? An over arching theme for the books The Bean Trees, and Mexican White boy is having grit and mental toughness under pressure. In the books there are good examples of people under pressure showing their true selves. Peoples morals are tested and they prosper in a tough situation.
The Chrysanthemums Research Paper
201 Words | 1 PagesIn Yellow Wallpaper,The Chrysanthemums and Boys and Girls women/girls role in society is often limited. In yellow wallpaper John’s wife is suffering from postpartum depression. John does not let her do anything even write in her diary or read. In chrysanthemums Elisa is the best at what she does which is planting chrysanthemums. A guy came to Elisa in a wagon and told her i travel and fix pots for a living.
Invasive Species In The Mojave Desert
597 Words | 3 PagesAlien plants include flowers used only for the purpose of landscaping and plants that hail from other regions that are not from the desert. Humans are the ringmasters of furthering the spread of invasive species. 90% of the cause of tortoise decline is obtained from human activity. Nonnative seeds attach to our vehicles, clothes, and pets. Consequently, the seeds fall on native soil and occupy vacant space, preventing native plants to grow properly.
Summary Of How Flowers Changed The World
1255 Words | 6 PagesFitting the pieces of corroboration on how the flowers changed the world, a critique The essay “How Flowers Changed the World” is a popular excerpt from The Immense Journey, written by American natural science writer, Loren Eiseley that discusses the significance of the rise of flowers on the evolution of living organisms. Eiseley implied that flowers carry many different significant attributes to the growth of living organisms may it be for animals, for other plants, and for humankind. Loren Eiseley discussed that during the first ages, plants were dependent on water for their growth that led many swamps and watercourses surrounding the earth with the vast and bare land. Moreover, as these plants may adapt these conditions, it can be deemed normal;
External Conflict In Milkweed
108 Words | 1 PagesIn Milkweed, by Jerry Spinelli the main conflict is person vs. person. Throughout the story, Misha has an external conflict with the jackboots. Misha never really understands the actual external conflict here: it is between himself and the Nazi party. Misha, being given a Jewish identity, is in trouble (despite how happy he is about his "birth"). Misha's life is always in jeopardy, even if he doesn't know this.
Spinach Leaf Photosynthesis Lab Report
1169 Words | 5 PagesPredators then eat the animals who eat the plants and each
Summary Of The Intelligent Plant
1417 Words | 6 PagesThe mimosa is a prime subject for this testing as its reflex behavior is observably quick enough to document the reactions; upon contact, the fernlike leaves of the plant recoil from the touch. This behavior is likely used as a defense mechanism to scare off insects but in the study, it was used to measure the plants’ responses and help to conclude if they were adapting to the conditions. The experiment Gagliano conducted tested nearly five dozen mimosa plants’ reactions to being dropped a small distance every few seconds. Gagliano noted how the organisms initially reacted by folding up but after only a few drops, the leaves began to reopen. The ecologist took this as evidence that the mimosa plants recognized that there was no harm in this particular movement and “had concluded that the stimulus could be safely ignored” (Pollan).
A Raisin In The Sun Mama's Plant Analysis
825 Words | 4 PagesThere are many symbols in A Raisin in the Sun worth describing, but one that particularly stands out is Mama’s plant. It is old and barely a substantial piece of nature, yet it makes many vital appearances in the play. The small plant seems to personify Mama’s stubborn nature in its intent on survival despite its close to death appearance. It also represents Mama’s dream that seems close to being crushed, yet never dies. As a whole, the plant is an extension of Mama’s character and an important symbol in the play.
Native Guard By Natasha Trethewey Analysis
1728 Words | 7 PagesAnts are representative of many things but a main one is cooperation. It makes sense because they work together to help benefit the whole colony and the colony, as a whole, works cohesively as a unit. All of the ants together, represent a strength and unity that can reshape the world itself. This makes for a strong contrast against the narrator. Throughout the poem she doesn’t really do anything besides watching the ants’ work.
The Chrysanthemums Setting Analysis
469 Words | 2 PagesThe setting shapes the mood and tone of a story and has a great affect on what happens in a story. The setting influences the events that take place, how the characters interact and even how they behave. Settings show where and how the character lives, what they do, and what they value. Characters have a relationship with the setting just as much as they do with other characters in the story. This is seen in the effects the setting has on the development of the Character Elisa in the story “The Chrysanthemums.”
Analysis Of Some Beasts By Pablo Neruda
911 Words | 4 PagesThe potentially trite comparison is made anew with comparing busy and diligent ants to busy and devoted monks, giving a unique and mystical aura to the ants as well. All of this reading comes from the skillful use of one word, “monastic”. The next few animals
Advantages Of A Dominant Sporophyte
771 Words | 4 PagesThe answer- plants have developed many important behavioural and physiological methods not shared
Importance Of Plants Essay
2023 Words | 9 PagesIntroduction Plants are a major necessity in the balance of nature, people’s lives, and our terrain. We may not realize it, but plants are the ultimate source of food for almost 95% of the world population so says the National Group of Food. It’s a fact that over 7,000 species of plants are being consumed today. Plants are one of the reasons that we get clean water; as they help regulate the water cycle.
More about Mutualistic Plant Relationships
Daphnia Lab
620 Words | 3 PagesPill Bug Attractancy Experiment
291 Words | 2 PagesConflict In The Bean Trees
1122 Words | 5 PagesThe Chrysanthemums Research Paper
201 Words | 1 PagesInvasive Species In The Mojave Desert
597 Words | 3 PagesSummary Of How Flowers Changed The World
1255 Words | 6 PagesExternal Conflict In Milkweed
108 Words | 1 PagesSpinach Leaf Photosynthesis Lab Report
1169 Words | 5 PagesSummary Of The Intelligent Plant
1417 Words | 6 PagesA Raisin In The Sun Mama's Plant Analysis
825 Words | 4 PagesNative Guard By Natasha Trethewey Analysis
1728 Words | 7 PagesThe Chrysanthemums Setting Analysis
469 Words | 2 PagesAnalysis Of Some Beasts By Pablo Neruda
911 Words | 4 PagesAdvantages Of A Dominant Sporophyte
771 Words | 4 PagesImportance Of Plants Essay
2023 Words | 9 Pages