Why plants produce alcaloides

[Thierry Sornasse]

Hi Networkers,

I red an paper about the brain and the influence of a large number of vegetal products
on the nervous system of the animal. It is rather far from my field and I am wondering why the plants have
developped during the evolution the capacity to produce substances which are able to "modify" 
the behaviour of animals? .

I 'll be really pleased to discuss this point with plant specialist. By the way, I am an immunologist.

(I hope you 'll forgive  my poor english .)

Thank you for your answers

Thierry Sornasse