With the emerging field of community genetics, it is important to quantify the key mechanisms that link genetics and community structure. We studied cottonwoods in common gardens and in natural stands and examined the potential for plant chemistry to be a primary mechanism linking plant genetics and arthropod communities. If plant chemistry drives the relationship between plant genetics and art...

Chemical approaches to studying plant/animal interactions have led to an appreciation that plant chemistry strongly influences patterns of herbivory. Although this chemistry is often rather complex, two basic factors have emerged: plant chemistry influences herbivores in both positive and negative ways by determining dietary quality of plants and by providing feeding cues. Examination of the re...

Chemical composition of plant and animal bodies. Classification, properties and functions of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, mineral and vitamins. The simple chemistry and metabolism of carbohydrates. The simple chemistry and metabolism of proteins The simple chemistry and metabolism of fats. The simple chemistry and metabolism of minerals and vitamins Practicals: Testing of carbohydrates, Acidi...

E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Species comparisons are a cornerstone of biology and there is a long tradition of using the comparative framework to study the ecology and evolution of plant defensive traits. Early comparative studies led to the hypothesis that plant chemistry plays a central role in plant defence, and the evolution of plant secondary chemistry in response to insect herbivory...

Species comparisons are a cornerstone of biology and there is a long tradition of using the comparative framework to study the ecology and evolution of plant defensive traits. Early comparative studies led to the hypothesis that plant chemistry plays a central role in plant defence, and the evolution of plant secondary chemistry in response to insect herbivory remains a classic example of coevo...