Publication: Studying how plants defend themselves: A chemical weapon produced by chilli fruit
Issued Date
2011-11-21
Resource Type
ISSN
21576009
00219266
00219266
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-81255127886
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Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Biological Education. Vol.45, No.4 (2011), 244-250
Suggested Citation
Nantawan Nantawanit, Bhinyo Panijpan, Pintip Ruenwongsa Studying how plants defend themselves: A chemical weapon produced by chilli fruit. Journal of Biological Education. Vol.45, No.4 (2011), 244-250. doi:10.1080/00219266.2011.553685 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/11234
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Title
Studying how plants defend themselves: A chemical weapon produced by chilli fruit
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Abstract
Students often prefer to study animals rather than plants, because they see plants as passive, less interesting organisms. This paper proposes a simple hands-on laboratory exercise for high-school students (grade 12) to arouse their interest in learning about plants and to demonstrate to them that plants are active organisms capable of defending themselves. In this classroom exercise, students investigate how a plant responds to an invader. As a model for study, the exercise uses three organisms: red chilli fruit, the yeast biological control agent Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the pathogenic fungus Rhizopus stolonifer. Students gain basic knowledge about how plants defend themselves against pathogens by observing the physical changes of an infected wound site and by investigating the chemical compounds produced by plants in response to pathogen invasion; they are also encouraged to think critically about using biological control as a means to promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices. © 2011 Society of Biology.