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Pharmaceutical companies are "bioprospecting" the tropical rain forests. These companies are looking for naturally occuring compounds in plants or animals that can be used as drugs for a variety of diseases. The most promising compunds act as antibacterial or antifungal agents.Even discounting the fact that the higher density of species in tropical rain forests would produce a wider array of compounds than another biome. why would antibacterial and antifungal compounds be more likely to evolve in this biome?
To determine:
Why would antibacterial and antifungal compound be more likely to evolve in this biome.
Introduction:
Biome is defined as the biological community that consists of plants and animals that have common characteristics to survive in the environment. They are found in all continents.
Explanation of Solution
The tropical rain forest is characterized by warm weather with plenty of rainfall. The climate condition favors the growth of large amount of vegetations and animals. Several types of decomposers such as bacteria and fungi are found in this forest due to high humidity and warm temperature.
The decomposers are responsible for the breakdown of organic matter. These regions support the growth of bacteria and fungi that causes harm to plants and animals that live in this region. So animals and plants are able to adaptation for their survival by defending themselves from bacteria and fungi. These adaptations help pharmaceutical companies to find out various antibacterial and antifungal compounds in plants and animals.
The plants and animals of such regions develop some adaptation to defend themselves from harmful bacteria and fungi. These adaptations develop antibacterial and antifungal compounds.
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Chapter 46 Solutions
CUSTOM LAB MANUAL FOR BIOLOGY 1406 >I<
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