Plant Defences: Physical Barriers and Chemicals

Plants face threats from pathogens and pests. They defend themselves using physical barriers like cell walls and bark, which protect against pathogens, and chemical defenses like antimicrobial substances and poisons, which deter both pathogens and pests. Humans have harnessed some of these plant chemicals for medicinal purposes, such as aspirin from willow bark and digitalis from foxglove. The video concludes by summarizing the dual defense strategies of plants.

What are some examples of plants that produce antimicrobial chemicals?

What types of chemicals do plants produce to defend against pests?

How have humans utilized plant chemicals in medicine?