Answer to Question #172804 in Biology for Feby Abraham

Question

Name a few different plant defense strategies. What is the difference between an induced and a constitutive defense in plants?

Answer 1

Plant defence strategies comprise:

1. Mechanical defence: bark, waxy cuticles,  thorns, spines, etc.

2. Chemical defence: toxins and alkaloids (i.e., volatile oils of mint, quinine, caffeine, glycol cyanide), enzymes, etc.

A constitutive defence mainly prevents infections and includes mechanical barriers and acts constitutively whereas an induced defence is activated only at the introduction of the pathogen or attack of the predator.