Flies Do Not Like Wasabi

Throughout evolution, different organisms have developed a series of strategies to defend themselves from the unwanted attack of their predators; strategies that evolved continuously and in parallel to the new abilities of the predators, establishing a kind of “cat-and-mouse chase” over time. In some cases, defense strategies do not develop fast enough, and the cat traps the mouse. When it comes to real life, it is not that a plant tries to outrun pests or predators; however, over generations, genetic mutations occur which sometimes, as a matter of chance, protect the individuals with that mutation against the predator, providing a greater chance of survival against their peers (evolutionary advantage)—until a predator develops new skills to deal with it. Thus, by the vagaries of nature, certain plants have managed to design various chemical agents that produce predator effects such as stinging, irritating, burning or painful sensations. However, how are plants able to produce these effects on organisms?