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However when under duress by pests, such as when ants destroy their roots, plants are known to produce chemicals to ward off invaders. So for this study, Barbero and her colleagues grew oregano in enclosed terrariums with Myrmica ants, and then collected the chemical scents emitted to produce chemicals to ward off invaders.

The researchers found that the plants made twice as much of a chemical agent called carvacrol versus normal plants grown without Myrmica ants.

Carvacrol is a known bug killer, but in a surprising twist, the researchers found that Myrmica ants switch on a set of genes that neutralize oregano’s chemical weapon. Meanwhile, other types of ants lack this defense and succumb to carvacrol, the team found.

Question
Use the excerpt to answer the question.

Which detail was left uncertain in the article?

(1 point)
Responses

why ants other than Myrmicas are not resistant to carvacrol
why ants other than Myrmicas are not resistant to carvacrol

why plants produce chemicals to ward off invaders
why plants produce chemicals to ward off invaders

how much carvacrol the oregano plants made
how much carvacrol the oregano plants made

the definition of carvacrol

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
why ants other than Myrmicas are not resistant to carvacrol

Explanation: The article reports that other ants lack the Myrmica gene-based defense and succumb, but it doesn’t explain why those other ants aren’t resistant.