What is true about inducible defenses? Select True or False for each statement. T/F They are always present; thus, an individual is always able to defend itself. T/F They make it impossible for a consumer to launch surprise attacks. T/F They result from a coevolutionary arms race. T/F They make efficient use of resources, because they are produced only when needed.

Verified step by step guidance

1. False. Inducible defenses are not always present. They are produced in response to a specific threat or stimulus, and are not constantly active.
2. False. Inducible defenses do not make it impossible for a consumer to launch surprise attacks. They are a response to a threat, not a preventative measure.
3. True. Inducible defenses often result from a coevolutionary arms race. As predators evolve new strategies for attack, prey species evolve new defenses in response.
4. True. Inducible defenses make efficient use of resources because they are produced only when needed. This allows the organism to conserve energy and resources when there is no immediate threat.

Key Concepts

Inducible Defenses

Inducible defenses are adaptive traits that organisms develop in response to specific environmental threats, such as predation. Unlike constitutive defenses, which are always present, inducible defenses are activated only when a threat is perceived, allowing organisms to conserve resources when not under attack.

Coevolutionary Arms Race

A coevolutionary arms race occurs when two or more species exert selective pressures on each other, leading to adaptations and counter-adaptations over time. In the context of inducible defenses, prey species may evolve these defenses in response to the predatory strategies of their consumers, creating a dynamic interplay between the two.

Resource Allocation

Resource allocation refers to how organisms distribute their energy and materials to various biological processes, including growth, reproduction, and defense. Inducible defenses are advantageous because they allow organisms to allocate resources efficiently, producing defenses only when necessary, which can enhance survival and reproductive success.