I think that’s a bad example because alcohol develops when sugar is half digested by microorganisms. Not sure about the details but alcohol isn’t “actively” added to fruits by the plant. The plant wants you to eat the fruit and shit the stone into the woods. Alcohol is a byproduct nobody intended.
The plant wants you to eat the fruit and shit the stone into the woods. Alcohol is a byproduct nobody intended.
Can’t remember exactly what tree it is, but there’s a rainforest tree that’s almost entirely pollinated by drunk little monkeys. The monkeys are specifically attracted to the pollen with the highest alcohol content.
I think that’s a bad example because alcohol develops when sugar is half digested by microorganisms. Not sure about the details but alcohol isn’t “actively” added to fruits by the plant. The plant wants you to eat the fruit and shit the stone into the woods. Alcohol is a byproduct nobody intended.
Better examples are caffeine, hotness in chili, …
Can’t remember exactly what tree it is, but there’s a rainforest tree that’s almost entirely pollinated by drunk little monkeys. The monkeys are specifically attracted to the pollen with the highest alcohol content.
What’s the apparent evolutionary purpose for developing caffeine?
That’s a good question tbh. If I remember correctly, the effects on other animals (was it insects?) is very different from ours.
It’s toxic to insects, so it’s a natural pesticide iirc
A really bitter tasting pesticide essentially.
Us mammals coming along recently has changed some things.
Roasty caffeine 😁. Mmmmmm…
Or hot peppers…
Peppers: Mammals no eat, only birds!
Humans: Hold my rotten peach, I’ma set my tongue on fire lolz
Same as nicotine. It keeps insects away
Iirc it slows down a type of caterpillars who eat the leaves and makes them smell yummier to predators but i don’t remember where i saw it
ok :)
Human: I eat bad fruit
yeast n shit in the fruit: nooo what are you doing we’re already eating this!
Human: taste bad!
Yeast n shit: Ya bro that is like literally our shit n waste
Human: ooh i feel funny n good!
Yeast n shit: are you listening to me?
Human: haha fun! grabs another rotten peach
Yeast:…
Human: this yeast shit is so good we should put yeast in our grape juice, potatoes, barbecue sauce and boil all the water out of it
Government: oh no you don’t, not unless you pay us money to do that
Human: but I’m not selling it
Government: M O N E Y!