Page 116 - Photosynthesis: The Green Miracle

Humans research chemical substances, but special training and technical de-
vices are essential for this. Plants do the same thing, with no training and in
the absence of laboratory conditions.

initiated of chemicals that set in
motion different reactions in
other parts of the body. For ex-
50
ample, the tobacco plant protects
itself by means of the rather tox-

ic chemical nicotine. Any attack
initiates the production of the
messenger chemical jasmonic ac-

id. Alternatively, when a cater-
pillar begins eating, the leaf pro-
duces more jasmonic acid, which
initiates nicotine production.
The nicotine produced is dis-

patched to the edge of the leaf,
and even the most stubborn ag-

Tobacco plant