However when under
duress by pests, such as
when ants destroy their
roots, plants are known to
produce chemicals to ward
off invaders. So for this
study, Barbero and her
colleagues grew oregano in
enclosed terrariums with
Myrmica ants, and then
collected the chemical
scents emitted to produce
chemicals to ward off
invaders.
The researchers found that
the plants made twice as
much of a chemical agent
called carvacrol versus
normal plants grown without
Myrmica ants.
Carvacrol is a known bug
killer, but in a surprising
twist, the researchers found
that Myrmica ants switch on
a set of genes that
neutralize oregano’s
chemical weapon.
Use the excerpt to
answer the question.
Which detail was left
uncertain in the article?
a. how much
carvacrol the
oregano plants
made
b. the definition of
carvacrol
c. why ants other
than Myrmicas
are not resistant
to carvacrol
d. why plants
produce
chemicals to
ward off
invaders