Plant Defense Mechanisms

Paper Summary:

Plants have developed their own unique methods to protect themselves from threats and without these defenses would perish. These defenses range from natural defenses that plants have developed over time such as thorns or waxy leaves to bio-engineered defenses where the plants have molecularly altered defenses. This paper highlights the key plant defense mechanisms including structural, metabolic, defenses against insects, defenses against pathogens and disease resistant genes. It also examines biotechnology including case studies and discusses its future.

From the Paper:

"When an insect attacks a plant, the attack signals the plant to produce insect toxins. These toxins may have varying effects on insects. The effects may range from simply repelling inspects to inhibiting the insects development. The compound within plants that signals them to release the toxins is called systemin. Systemin activates two genes that in turn produce proteinase inhibitors. Insects use proteinase to digest proteins. When the plant releases the proteinase inhibitors, it prevents the insect's ability to digest the plant's proteins."

More papers on Plant Defense Mechanisms:

• Analytical Essay # 132308 : "Defense Mechanisms: An Analysis of Individual Differences"
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• Analytical Essay # 138585 : "Freudian Defense Mechanisms in "The Turn of the Screw"

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