Chemical defences

• What are chemical defences in plants?

  How plants protect themselves using chemicals
• What are the three main types of chemical defenses used by plants?

  Alkaloids, terpenes, phenols
• What is the structure of phenols?

  Aromatic with OH groups
• What is the role of toxic chemicals in plant defences?

  They kill pathogens on contact
• What effect do phenols have on plants?

  They are antiseptic and protect from UV
• What is the chemical structure of Alpha pinene?

  • Alpha pinene is a bicyclic monoterpene with a bridged ring structure.
  • It has no oxygen-containing functional groups.
• What effect do alkaloids have on plants?

  They are toxic and bitter
• What effect do terpenes have on plants?

  They are aromatic and repel insects
• What are the key components of the plant cell that are affected by the fungus/bacteria/virus infection?

  • Nucleus
  • Chloroplast
  • Membrane permeability changes
  • Reticulem
  • Vacuole
• What is the chemical structure of Luteolin?

  Luteolin is a flavonoid with a phenol group, a carbonyl group, and multiple hydroxyl groups attached to two benzene rings.
• What is the structure of terpenes?

  C5 units repeated
• What are the structures and effects of the three types of chemical defenses in plants?

  • Alkaloids:
  • Structure: Nitrogen-containing
  • Effect: Toxic, bitter
  • Terpenes:
  • Structure: C5 units repeated
  • Effect: Aromatic, repel insects
  • Phenols:
  • Structure: Aromatic with OH groups
  • Effect: Antiseptic, protect from UV
• What is the chemical structure of Galangin?

  Galangin is a flavonoid with a phenol group, a carbonyl group, and multiple hydroxyl groups attached to a benzene ring.
• What type of chemical defense do pyrethrums use?

  Pyrethrins
• What is the structure of alkaloids?

  Nitrogen-containing
• What type of signals do plants use for defense?

  Chemical signals
• How do the three types of chemical defences in plants work together?

  They deter, kill, and prevent pathogens from spreading
• How do deterrent chemicals function in plants?

  They make the plant taste bad or smell strong
• What are the main functions of chemical defences in plants?

  • Deterrence: Makes plants taste bad or smell strong
  • Toxicity: Chemicals kill pathogens on contact
  • Antibiotic Properties: Prevents pathogen growth and spread
• What is the chemical structure of Apigenin?

  • Apigenin is a flavonoid with a phenol group, a carbonyl group, and multiple hydroxyl groups attached to two benzene rings.
• What is the chemical structure of Kaempferol?

  Kaempferol is a flavonoid with a phenol group, a carbonyl group, and multiple hydroxyl groups attached to two benzene rings.
• What do chemical defenses improve in plants?

  Survival rate
• How do chemical defenses help plants respond to threats?

  They provide a rapid and effective defense response
• What is the chemical structure of jasmonic acid?

  Jasmonic acid
• What are the key steps in the plant's defense response to insect wounding?

  1. Insect wounds plant tissue
  2. Wounding activates jasmonic acid
  3. Jasmonic acid interacts with protein to activate genes
  4. This leads to production of enzymes and other proteins that defend against herbivores
• What are the benefits of chemical defenses in plants?

  1. Reduced herbivore damage
  2. Lower pathogen susceptibility
  3. Increased competitive advantage
  4. Higher reproductive success
• How do antibiotic properties in plant chemicals help them?

  They prevent pathogens from growing and spreading
• What are the types of chemical defenses and their medical uses?

  • Alkaloids: Morphine, Quinine
  • Medical Uses: Pain relief, antimalarial treatments
  • Terpenes: Taxol
  • Medical Uses: Cancer treatment
  • Phenols: Curcumin, Resveratrol
  • Medical Uses: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant benefits
• How do bitter alkaloids help plants?

  They repel herbivores
• What is the name of the structure in the leaf that is infected by fungus/bacteria/virus?

  Leaf
• What are key compounds found in phenols?

  Curcumin, Resveratrol
• What is a key compound found in terpenes?

  Taxol
• How does the fungus/bacteria/virus infection lead to cell wall thickening and lignification?

  • Activation of enzymes
  • Peptide chain breakage
• How does the cross-linking between proteins and DNA/RNA breakage of strands contribute to the plant's defense against the fungus/bacteria/virus infection?

  It leads to cell wall thickening and lignification
• How do chemical defenses disrupt pathogens at the cellular level?

  • Cause membrane damage
  • Inhibit enzyme activity
  • Disrupt DNA
• What type of chemical defense does cinnamon use?

  Cinnamaldehyde
• What are the medical uses of phenols?

  Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant benefits
• What is the role of antimicrobial phenols and terpenes?

  They inhibit pathogen growth
• What does jasmonic acid trigger in plants?

  Production of protective enzymes
• What is the name of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during the fungus/bacteria/virus infection?

  ROS