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Which of these is a stated function of leaf trichomes?
ADeterring herbivory by restricting insect movement
BIncreasing water loss by opening the leaf pores
CConducting sugars from the leaf into the phloem
DSplitting the leaf blade into separate leaflets
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Deterring herbivory by restricting insect movement
1. Trichomes are hair like structures on the epidermal surface.
2. They deter herbivory by restricting insect movements or by storing toxic or bad tasting compounds.
3. They also reduce the rate of transpiration by blocking air flow across the leaf surface.
4. Increasing water loss is the opposite of what they do, so the second option inverts their effect.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 30 "Plant Form and Physiology", section 30.4 Leaves_
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