B6.3 (2) Flashcards
b6.3.6 onwards
what is the purpose of the leaf cuticle?
waxy outer layer which prevents pathogens passing through, and water from collecting on the leaf surface
why is it important that leaf cuticle prevents pathogens passing through?
- so pathogens cannot have direct contact with epidermal cells
- less chance of infection
how does the leaf cuticle prevent water collecting on the surface? (and why is that important)
- is hydrophobic
- as fungal pathogens need standing water for spore germination
define a cell wall (in terms of plant defenses)
structural barrier made of cellulose, which gives strength and flexibility
cell walls ….. …. with other …. which forms a type of …. that helps ……. neighbouring ……. together
cross link
fibres (eg. peptin)
gel
cement
cells
cell walls cross link with other fibres which forms a type of gell that helps cement neighbouring cells together
what does the cell wall contain?
a variety of chemical defences which activate rapidly when the cell detects pathogens
give 4 examples of physical plant defences
- spike
- thorn
- stinging cells
- bark
difference between chemical and physical defences?
physical defences prevent microorganisms from entering
chemical defences are substances secreted by the plant that kill microorganisms
how does bark act as a physical defence?
external layer of dead cells that forms a barrier against infection
give 5 examples of chemical defences in plants
- insect repellants
(repel insect vectors that carry disease) - insecticides (kill insects)
- antibacterial compounds
(kill bacteria) - antifungal compounds
(kill fungi) - cyanide (some plants make chemicals which break down to form cyanide when attacked) - TOXIC
describe two antibacterial compounds in more detail
- phenols (distrupt bacterium cell wall)
- defensins (distrupt cell membrane)
describe two antifungal compounds in more detail
- chitinases
(enzymes which break down chitin in fungal cell walls) - caffeine
(toxic to fungi and insects)
give two examples of insect repellants
- citronella
- pine resin
give an example of an insecticide
pyrethrins
what are the 4 main ways plant diseases can be detected and identified?
- observation
- microscopy
- DNA analysis
- identification of antigens
define the term diagnosis
correctly identifying the existence of a plant disease
how is observation used to identify plant diseases?
(give advantages and disadvantages)
- finding visual symptoms
adv - quick, cheap, easy
dis - similar symptoms for different diseases
(not accurate)
how is microscopy used to identify plant diseases?
identifying pathogen by looking at its shape
- electron gives better diagnosis than light
advantages and disadvantages of usinig microscopy to identify plant diseases?
adv - much more accurate
dis
- may be slower (sample must be given to lab)
- require equipment
downside of identifying plant diseases in the field?
only identified once symptoms are apparent (so plant is infected)
how is DNA analysis used to identify plant diseases?
idea that…
- each plant has a unique genome
- and a map of the genome is produced
- and then compared to known DNA profiles (to identify individual strains of the microorganism)