Question

How do plants defend themselves against pathogens?

Answer 1

Plants have various defense mechanisms to protect themselves against pathogens. Some common ways plants defend themselves include:

1. Physical barriers such as tough outer coverings like bark and thorns.
2. Chemical defenses like producing toxins that can inhibit the growth of pathogens.
3. Hypersensitive response, where infected cells die off to prevent the spread of the pathogen.
4. Producing antimicrobial compounds to fight off pathogens.
5. Inducing systemic acquired resistance, a process where the entire plant becomes more resistant to future infections.