Plant Biology Review Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing plant survival mechanisms, relationships, substances, and non-biologically active products.

Anthropogenic Threats

Anthropogenic threats include pesticides, herbicides, microplastic, burn/diesel particles, persistent organic pollutants, and heavy metals.

Biotic Threats

Biotic threats include viruses, bacteria, fungi, grazing, parasitic plants, and insects.

Climate Threats

Climate threats include flood, ozone, extreme temperatures, drought, wind, and UV radiation.

Soil Threats

Soil threats include poor nutrients, salinity, microbial diversity, and pH imbalances.

Constitutive Defenses

Constitutive defenses are always present in the plant.

Induced Defenses

Induced defenses are synthesized in response to a challenge.

Primary Cell Wall

The primary cell wall is a major line of defense against microbial pathogens, provides structural support, and regulates turgor pressure.

Secondary Cell Wall

The secondary cell wall develops after the cell stops growing and varies in composition, containing lignin, cutin, suberin, and waxes.

Lignin

Lignin is a polymer of phenolic compounds that makes the cell rigid and impermeable to pathogens.

Cutin, Suberin, and Waxes

Cutin, suberin, and waxes are fatty substances found in the outer protective tissues of the plant body.

Idioblasts

Idioblasts are specialized cells that protect against herbivory with toxic chemicals or sharp crystals.

Epidermis

The epidermis is the outermost covering of the plant, providing waterproofing and protection against pathogens and UV radiation.

Trichomes

Trichomes are specialized epidermal cells that provide physical and chemical protection against insect pests.

Periderm

The periderm replaces the epidermis in woody plants, with suberized cells providing waterproofing and preventing pathogen and insect access.

Thorns, Spines, and Prickles

Thorns are modified branches, spines are modified leaves, and prickles are epidermal outgrowths.

Secondary Metabolites

Secondary metabolites are involved in ecological functions and are unique to different plant species; examples include terpenoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds.

Terpenoids

Terpenoids are modified terpenes that may comprise essential oils and warn predators of toxicity.

Phenolics

Phenolics compounds with antioxidative properties, consisting of a benzene ring, a carboxyl group and one or more hydroxyl groups. Major groups include flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, stilbenes, lignins

Tannins

Tannins bind to proteins, making the plant hard to digest.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are low-molecular-weight phenolic compounds responsible for color and aroma, acting as UV filters and defensive compounds.

Alkaloids

Alkaloids are alkaline compounds with at least one nitrogen atom, often bitter-tasting and toxic.

Batesian Mimicry

Batesian mimicry is when a harmless species pretends to be harmful to predators.

Carnivory in Plants

Carnivory has evolved repeatedly in plants to cope with nutrient-scarce soils.

Facilitation

Facilitation is an interaction where at least one species benefits and neither is harmed.

Mutualism

Mutualism is when both organisms benefit.

Commensalism

Commensalism is when one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefits.

Antagonism

Antagonism is an interaction where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

Herbivory

Herbivory is when an herbivore eats plants.

Parasitism

Parasitism is a host-parasite interaction in which the parasite benefits at the plant's expense .

Necrotrophic Parasitism

In necrotrophic parasitism, the parasite benefits at the expense of the host, leading to its death.

Biotrophic Parasitism

Biotrophic parasitism requires the survival of the host plant.

Hemiparasites

Hemiparasites are chlorophyllous and photosynthetic but obtain water and nutrients through haustorial connections to their host

Holoparasites

Holoparasites are non-photosynthetic and obtain all water and nutrients from their host.

Biological Activity

Biological activity is the inherent capacity of a substance to alter physiological functions of a cell, tissue, organ, or organism

Terpenes

Terpenes are dimers and polymers of 5-C precursors called isoprene units and are largely extracted from ginger during infusion

Plant Fibers

Fibers are elongated plant cells with thick secondary walls and tapering ends, used in textiles, fillings, and cordage.

Plant Dyes

Plant dyes are pigments used for photosynthesis, photoprotection, stress alleviation, herbivore deterrence, pollinator attraction, and fabric coloring

Exudates

Exudates are compounds secreted by plants for protection and wound healing, examples being resins, mucilage and latex

Latex

Latex is a white, sticky, lipid-soluble exudate that coagulates upon exposure to air.

Resin

Resin is a non-crystalline, viscous, lipid-soluble substance produced in canals, pockets, cavities, trichomes, or epidermal cells.

Mucilage

Mucilage is a transparent liquid exudate composed of polysaccharides and forms a viscous solution with water.

Wood

Wood is a product of secondary growth mainly composed of xylem tissue.

Biofuels

Biofuels are renewable liquid fuels extracted from plant biomass.