Cuticles also provide a physical barrier to pathogen invation, and they may aid in collecting needed light or reflecting excess light. Sometimes, cuticles form slippery surfaces that guide insects in pollinating flowers or even trap them for nutrition. Another approach to answering this question could be forming a numerical list of 5-6 functions. Go back to question 3 or go on to question 4 . 5 . Explain the mechanisms by which oxalates are toxic.
Oxalates exert two very different types of toxic effects.
They may chelate divalent and trivalent cations. This tight binding makes the ions unavailable. They may form pointed crystals that are capable of inflicting mechanical damage to cells. Go back to question 5 or go on to question 6 . The trans configuration produces a straight-chain fatty acid, whereas cis makes a bend in the fatty acid.