The foxglove plant, seen in the illustration, produces very toxic chemicals that can cause serious illness and death in any organisms that eats the plant. Why do scientists think the foxglove plant evolved such powerful poisons?

Question

Responses
A The poisons function to kill invading bacteria and other pathogens that may harm the plant.The poisons function to kill invading bacteria and other pathogens that may harm the plant.
B The poisons maximize the efficiency of the photosynthetic process, allowing the plant to make more food.The poisons maximize the efficiency of the photosynthetic process, allowing the plant to make more food.
C The poisons discourage any animal from eating the plant, preventing damage to the plant from herbivores.The poisons discourage any animal from eating the plant, preventing damage to the plant from herbivores.
D Poisons are likely to be the product of genetic mutations in the DNA of the plant and do not have any useful function.

Answer 1

C The poisons discourage any animal from eating the plant, preventing damage to the plant from herbivores.