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I don't know if there really is a mechanism that would have crossover potential for humans, but I would rather see funding go to ideas like this than to give to farmers to "not grow" crops. [+] |
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I've not thought much about plant immune systems before, but I'm not sure how much of a threat bacteria pose. I imagine there are physical barriers more than anything. Also, don't forget that not all bacteria are bad - all plants have a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungal and bacterial colonies which grow around the plant roots and mediate nutrient uptake. Nitrogen fixing plants, such as legumes and clover, have root nodules containing specific bacterial consortia which are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen into a plant available form. This is a fundamental process providing plant available nitrogen to all other plants. |
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Fetching my Bio 110 notes... Ah, here we go... |
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Basically, the phloem, which transports sugar and water, is a closed system. Sucrose is actively transported into phloem cells, and water only moves through by osmosis. Very, very few large proteins get in, much less an entire bacteria or virus. It is purely a mechanical defense; not chemical or immune-system related. |
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Nearly all plant diseases infest from the outside in (unlike animals with respiratory passages). |
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I can't believe that an immune system of only mechanical barriers could effectively protect over hundreds of years. Branches fall off in windstorms. Lightning blasts pieces off. Bears sharpen their clothes. Boneheads carve their initials. All these things breach mechanical defenses and expose the innards of a tree or other long-lived plant. No doubt the bark and other mechanical defenses protect to a large degree - just as our skin protects us. But sometimes the barbarians breach the gate. There must be something more. |
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" bears sharpen their clothes"? There are bears out there wearing pointy suits? RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!
( could'nt resist). |
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hmm. I guess sharp looking bears are good, if unintentional. |
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It sounds crazy Bungs, but it's pretty much true. If trees get sick they usually die. They don't have anything like Leukocytes. |
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