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Plant Structure, Disease & Defence Use the internet to research plant defence mechanism – how do they stop herbivores from eating them or microorganisms from invading their cells? Design a SUPER PLANT which has all of the mechanisms you research University of Cambridge Video Mechanical adaptations. • Thorns and hairs deter animals from eating or touching them. • Leaves which droop or curl when touched. • Gympie Gympie Tree “Stung horses that have been known to die within hours, even jumping off cliffs to escape their suffering. One man was purported to have shot himself to end his pain after having foolishly used the leaf as toilet paper. ” Mechanical adaptations. • Mimicry to trick animals into not eating them or not laying eggs on the leaves. Some plants, e.g. this passion flower mimic the presence of insect eggs on their leaves, dissuading other species from laying their eggs there. Female butterflies are less likely to lay their eggs on plants that already have butterfly eggs. Chemical plant defence responses. • Produce antibacterial chemicals, such as mint and witch hazel. • Produce poisons to deter herbivores, such as tobacco plants, foxgloves and deadly nightshade. Physical defence responses to resist invasion of microorganisms. • Cellulose cell walls. • Tough waxy cuticle on leaves. • Layers of dead cells around stems (bark on trees) which fall off taking pathogens with them. .