Plant Ecology and Defenses

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to plant ecology, defenses, and interactions based on the lecture notes provided.

Ecology

The study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.

Animal Diversity

The variety of different animal species and their classifications based on developmental biology.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that can cause disease in plants, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Parasitic Plants

Plants that obtain some or all of their nutrients from other living plants, often harming their hosts.

Basal Immune System

The primary defense function of organisms, similar to skin in animals, to keep pathogens out.

Specific Resistance

A targeted immune response by plants, involving proteins that recognize and respond to specific pathogens.

Biotrophic Pathogens

Pathogens that obtain nutrients from living plant cells without killing them.

Necrotrophic Pathogens

Pathogens that kill plant cells before feeding on the dead material.

Constitutive Defense

Defense mechanisms that are always present in a plant.

Inducible Defense

Defense mechanisms that are activated in response to a threat.

Myrmecophytes

Plants that have a mutualistic relationship with ants, providing food or shelter in exchange for protection.

Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR)

A defensive response in plants that builds immunity throughout the plant after an initial infection.

Crown Gall Disease

A bacterial infection that causes tumor-like growths in plants.

Herbivory

The consumption of plants by animals.

Herbivore

Animals that feed primarily on plants, including insects and larger mammals.

Alkaloids

Nitrogen-containing compounds produced by plants that can have defensive properties against herbivores.

Terpenes

Volatile organic compounds produced by plants, often as a defense mechanism.

Tannins

Chemical compounds in plants that can deter herbivores by taste and toxicity.

Vascular Wilt Disease

A disease where plants restrict water and nutrient flow through their vascular systems as a defense against pathogens.

Plant Behavior

The ability of plants to respond to environmental stimuli, akin to behaviors in animals.