Ecosystems- Interaction Influences Flashcards
What is an example of a plant infection?
Cucumber Mosaic Virus
Cucumber Mosaic Virus
This is an ssRNA encoding a replicase, movement proteins, a coat protein and 2b protein
Replicase
This is an enzyme catalyzing synthesis of a complentary RNA using and RNA tempate
What is the 2b protein in CMV used for?
They supress the RNA silencing pathway which in plants defends against viral infection
What is an example of a fungal disease for plants?
Dutch elm disease
Dutch Elm Disease
This is carried by elm bark beetles, overwintering in infected and recently killed trees, stumps and cut brush and logs
What is DED cuased by?
Asomycete fungi like Ophiostoma ulmi and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi
How do DED infect?
Colonise xylem tissue which is important in water and nutrient transport, leading to wilting, yellowing and death.
How do Elm Bark Beetles act as vectors?
Feed on bark of the elm trees and carry fungal spores from healthy trees
What has DED affected?
UK British Elm and Field Elm
How did DED become invasive in UK?
Logs imported from North America with quick spread by bark beetles.
Ash Dieback
This causes crown dieback and leaf loss caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which is an ascomycete.
How does Ash Dieback infect?
Colonises bark, branches and the xylem, leading to death of the tree spread by aoelian processes.
What leads to decreased plant growth?
Interfering with ability of the plant to acquire and utilise resources like light, water, CO2 and nutrients.
What is light interception correlated with?
Increased crop yield and plant growth.
What does light interception depend on?
Leaf area and position of the leaves, thus adapt to be taller, bigger and fast growing.
What does developmental regulation depend on in plants?
Concentration of two phytochromes: Pr and Pfr due to differential abosrption of spectra, Pr being red light converting to Pfr whilst Pfr to Pr when far-red light is absorbed
What is plants photoperiod dependent on?
Ratio of Pfr and Pr
What are plants intercepting light more-so better at?
Detecting seasonal and day length changes with solar intensity