Flashcards · Biology · Plant Defences and Disease
Chemical Defences of Plants
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Why do plants make chemicals?
To defend themselves against pests and pathogens.
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Name three types of chemical defence.
Poisons, antibacterial or antifungal chemicals, and bitter deterrents.
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Which plant gave aspirin?
The willow.
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What is aspirin used for?
Pain relief and reducing fever.
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Which plant gave digitalis?
The foxglove.
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What is digitalis used for?
Treating some heart conditions.
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Which plant gives morphine?
The opium poppy.
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What is morphine used for?
Severe pain.
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Which plant gave artemisinin?
Sweet wormwood.
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What is artemisinin used for?
Treating malaria.
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Which tree gave the cancer drug taxol?
The yew.
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How can you test whether a plant extract is antibacterial?
Put a disc soaked in it on an agar plate of bacteria, and look for a clear zone.
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What does a zone of inhibition show?
The extract stopped bacteria growing in that area.
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Why is a control disc used?
To show that the solvent alone has no effect.
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Why are some plant chemicals made only when the plant is attacked?
It saves energy and resources.
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Common mistake about plant medicines?
Thinking that natural plant medicines are always safe. Many are poisonous in large doses.