Genes that are more distantly related but that still can be recognized as having common ancestry. Such a group of gene families is called a superfamily.

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#Id: 9745

#Unit 6. System Physiology – Plant

According to Optimal Defense Hypothesis, 

Young tissues not only contain the highest levels of constitutive secondary compounds, they are also more responsive to herbivory. Thus, younger leaves exhibit more robust inducible defenses to herbivores than older leaves.

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#Unit 6. System Physiology – Plant

Constitutive defenses are costly to the plant. The production of secondary metabolites requires a significant energy investment derived from primary metabolism, which is then unavailable for use in growth and reproduction.

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#Unit 6. System Physiology – Plant

Inducible defense against pests or pathogens, involve both a wound response and the recognition of certain compounds abundant in the insect’s saliva or regurgitant. 

These compounds belong to a broad group of chemicals called elicitors

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#Id: 9748

#Unit 6. System Physiology – Plant

Elicitors are HAMPs or herbivore- associated molecular patterns

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#Unit 6. System Physiology – Plant

Elicitors found in insect saliva are fatty acid (18:3) –amino acid conjugates (or fatty acid amides)

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#Id: 9750

#Unit 6. System Physiology – Plant

N-(17-hydroxylinolenoyl)-l-glutamine is an elicitor known as volicitin induces volatile secondary metabolites in maize plants.