Plant Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
What is the first line of defense in plants?
An intact and impenetrable barrier composed of bark and a waxy cuticle, or adaptations such as thorns or spines
What does the plant resort to if the first defense fails?
Resort to toxins and enzymes
What are primary metabolites?
compounds that are directly involved in the growth and development of plants
What are secondary metabolites?
compounds produced that are still important but are not essential in the functioning of the plant
How do secondary metabolites protect the plant?
Many are toxic and can be lethal to animals
What do plants produce to fight the pathogen?
antimicrobial chemicals, antimicrobial proteins and antimicrobial enzymes
What are phytoanticipins?
chemical produces by plants to inhibit fungal spore germination
What are plant defensins?
protein produced by a plant to inhibit development of fungi, bacteria and viruses
How does a thick waxy cuticle protect against pathogens?
It prevents the formation of a moisture film on the leaf surface as dry surfaces inhibit infection by bacteria, fungi and nematodes. These organisms need water to survive while they adhere to the cell’s surface.
How is the size of stomata relevant to protection against pathogens?
Some pathogens cannot fit through stomata (natural openings in plant)
e.g. mandarins are resistant to citrus cancer because the stomata is too small for causative agent to enter
