TED-ED: The amazing ways plants defend themselves - Valentin Hammoudi

Plants face numerous threats from various herbivores and pathogens. To combat these, they employ a range of defenses, including physical barriers like bark and thorns, and chemical defenses such as irritants and toxins. Plants also have an immune system where each cell can detect and respond to invaders. They communicate with other plants and recruit allies like parasitic wasps to fend off attackers. Despite being immobile, plants have evolved complex strategies to survive and deter predators.

How do tomato plants respond to aphid attacks?

• By growing faster

• By dropping their leaves

• By using both physical and chemical defenses

• By changing color

What is the role of lignin in plant defenses?

• It attracts pollinators

• It makes the bark tough and impermeable

• It stores nutrients

• It helps in photosynthesis

Which structure on plants deters smaller pests?

• Flowers

• Bark

• Trichomes

• Thorns

How do plants respond internally to microbial attacks?

• By shedding infected parts

• By thickening the waxy cuticle and strengthening cell walls

• By growing new leaves

• By producing more flowers

What is a unique feature of the plant immune system?

• It requires sunlight to operate

• It functions only during the day

• Every cell can detect and defend against invaders

• It is located only in the roots

How do cotton plants defend against caterpillars?

• By producing sweet nectar

• By releasing a chemical cocktail to attract parasitic wasps

• By growing thicker leaves

• By changing their color

What is the purpose of plants releasing airborne compounds?

• To cool down the plant

• To increase photosynthesis

• To alert other plants of an attack

• To attract pollinators