Plant Diseases and Defense Mechanisms Quiz

John, Sarah, and Bob are avid gardeners and are currently working on a project about the defense mechanisms of plants against pathogens in their garden. They are focusing on the physical barriers that plants have. They have listed a few options based on their research. Can you help them identify which of these are correct?

• Layers of bark or dead cells

• Tough waxy cuticle

• All of the above

• Cellulose cell walls

Answer explanation

Plants have physical barriers like bark, cuticle, and cellulose walls to prevent pathogen invasion. All of the above options are correct.

John, Sarah, and Emma are avid gardeners and love to spend their time in their garden. They were discussing about various ways to protect their plants from diseases. They came across a particular method and were curious to know more about it. Can you tell them which of the following is a chemical defense used by plants in their garden against invading pathogens?

• Drooping or curling

• Thorns

• Antibacterial chemicals

• Hairy stems

Answer explanation

Chemical plants defend against invading pathogens by producing antibacterial chemicals.

Monty, Carol, and Adam are avid gardeners and have a show called 'Gardeners' World'. They noticed that some plants in their garden have thorns. What could be the purpose of these thorns as a plant defense mechanism?

• To make it unpleasant for insects to feed on them

• To collapse suddenly and dislodge insects

• To mimic unhealthy plants

• To deter herbivores from eating them

Answer explanation

Thorns serve as a defense mechanism by collapsing suddenly and dislodging insects, deterring them from feeding on the plant.

John, Sarah, and Emma are avid gardeners. They learned that some plants in their garden use poisons to defend themselves against pests. How do these plants do this?

• By mimicking butterfly eggs on their surfaces

• By making pests like rabbits and deer feel unwell when they eat them

• By drooping or curling when touched by insects

• By combining hairs with poisons to deter insects

Answer explanation

Plants defend against herbivores by making animals feel unwell.

What is the effect of a lack of nitrate ions in the soil on the growth of a plant?

What is the effect of a lack of magnesium ions in the soil on the growth of a plant?

What are the symptoms of plant diseases that can be detected?

How can plant diseases be detected?

John, Sarah, and Emily are avid gardeners and have a shared garden in their community. They are considering introducing ladybirds, which are known to eat aphids, into their garden. What could be the purpose of this action?

• To control the pathogen population

• To prevent the spread of disease between plants

• To have an impact on the success of the crop

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Releasing ladybirds in greenhouses prevents disease spread between plants.

What is the global loss of food crops to plant pathogens per year?