Q BankQuestion BankDocsDocuments

B4.2.9—Herbivore and plant adaptations

Herbivores and plants show reciprocal adaptations, with feeding structures, digestion strategies, spines, stings and toxins shaping plant-herbivore interactions across ecosystems.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
B4.2.9
Level
SL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing1%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks4

Common command terms

  • State
  • Outline
  • Suggest

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Listing plant defences when asked specifically for herbivore feeding adaptations.

Recent exam appearances

November 2025Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ17(c)[ 4 ]B4.2.9—Herbivore and plant adaptations
Practice this objective

Coverage 2025–2025 · Updated 15 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • Herbivores can have specialised mouthparts or teeth for feeding on plants.
  • Gut microbes or digestive structures can help herbivores process cellulose.
  • Plants can resist herbivory with spines, thorns, stings or toxins.
  • Plant-herbivore interactions can drive reciprocal adaptations.
ConceptIB Biology SL