ANIMAL AND PLANT

DEFENSE
RESPONSES
CHAPTER III
UNIT 2

DEFENSE RESPONSES AND COORDINATION IN ANIMALS AND

PLANTS

PowerPoint by: Clarence Noel S. Antonino

ANIMAL DEFENSE
RESPONSES
DEFENSES OF THE HUMAN BODY

YOUR BODY DOES NOT EASILY GIVE WAY TO DISEASES. IT GIVES A GOOD
FIGHT BEFORE IT GIVES UP.

IT HAS SEVERAL LINES OF DEFENSE.

• THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE INVOLVES THE INTEGUMENTARY
SYSTEM.
• THE SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE IS NONSPECIFIC IMMUNITY (INNATE).
• THE THIRD LINE OF DEFENSE IS SPECIFIC IMMUNITY.
 DEFENSES
LINES OF DEFENSE OF THE
HUMAN
BODY
I N T E G U M E N TATA R Y S Y S T E M

THE OUTERMOST COVERING OF THE BODY IS THE FIRST BARRIER AGAINST INVASION OF MICROBES. THIS INCLUDES THE SKIN, MUCOUS
MEMBRANES THAT LINE THE RESPIRATORY TUBES, UROGENITAL TRACTS, AND DIGESTIVE TUBE.
N O N S P E C I F I C I M M U N I T Y ( I N N AT E )

HERE, THE BODY USES A BATTERY OF CELLS THAT ARE PART OF THE NONSPECIFIC IMMUNE SYSTEM. THE CELLS SECRETE CHEMICALS AND
PROTEINS THAT HELP IN THE DESTRUCTION OF PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS.
FOR EXAMPLE;
THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU CUT PART OF YOUR SKIN AND MICROBES ENTER THE WOUND.
THE SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE TAKE ACTION WHEN THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IS BREACHED BY MICROBES.

I N T E G U M E N TATA R Y S Y S T E M

THE BODY IS ALSO PROTECTED BY THE SPECIFIC IMMUNE SYSTEM. THIS CAN IDENTIFY AND REMOVE THE PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS THAT
HAVE EVADED THE INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM. ONE KIND OF IMMUNE CELL CAN AGGRESSIVELY ATTACT AND KILL ANY CELL IDENTIFIED AS
FOREIGN.
THE BODY ENCOUNTERS
DISEASES-CAUSING MICROBES
FROM TIME TO TIME.
MOST OF THESE MICROBES NATURALLY
INHABIT THE BODY AND ARE HARMLESS;
OTHERS, HOWEVER, ARE PATHOGENIC AND
CAUSE DISEASES.

TO COMBAT THESE DISEASES,

THE BODY HAS BUILT-IN PROTECTIVE BARRIERS WHICH ARE PART OF THE IMMUNE
SYSTEM, THE ONES THAT COUNTER ANTIGENS TO SAFEGUARD THE BODY.THESES ARE
THE MECHANICAL AND CELLULAR DEFENSES, THE ANTIBODIES WE PRODUCE TO WARD
OFF FOREIGN SUBSTANCES. THE ABILITY TO PRODUCE THESE ANTIBODIES IS CALLED
HUMORAL IMMUNITY.
TYPES OF
IMMUNITY
1. ACQUIRED
IMMUNITY
THIS TYPE OF IMMUNITY IS A
GENETIC PREDISPOSITION. WE
RECEIVE THIS TYPE OF
IMMUNITY FROM OUR

PARENTS AND
ANCESTORS.
2. INBORN
IMMUNITY
ANTIBODIES COULD BE
OBTAINED WHEN WE ARE
EXPOSED TO ANTIGENS.THIS
HAPPENS IN EITHER

NATURAL OR
ARTIFICIAL
MANNER. ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
PROGRESS THE MOMENT A
PERSON IS BORN.
 a. NATURALLY ACQUIRED
IMMUNITY
This type of acquired immunity occurs
when the person is exposed to a live
01 ACTIVE
Active immunity is obtained once a person comes in direct contact
pathogen, develops the disease, and
becomes immune as a results of primary with a disease which providers a permanent immunity. This could
immune response. This happens in be done by administering a prepared vaccine, whether weakened or
active or passive form. dead antigens, to stimulate the production of certain antibodies. In
some cases, booster shots are needed. This provides a long-term
immunity

02 PASSIVE
Passive immunity is obtained during fetal development
through the mother’s placenta and by breastfeeding upon
b. ARTIFICIAL ACQUIRED
IMMUNITY
Artificially acquired immunity can also be in an active or passive
rearing the newborn. This may last for a short period of time. form. In other words, it can be introduced through a vaccine, a
Passive immunity is acquired promptly after a person has substance that contains the antigens.
been exposed to a precarious disease, which could be
detrimental to the person’s health (e.g., diphtheria, pertussis,
rabies.
 Human
The

Immune
System
 antibodies

Antibodies or immunoglobulins, which are

proteins produced from the circulating
lymphocytes, have the capacity to ward off
foreign substances. They can recognize and bind
to an antigen such as a bacterium or virus, which
then could result in their destruction.
 antibodies

Keep in mind that antibodies do not kill invading pathogens

d i r e c t l y ; r a t h e r, t h e y c a u s e d e s t r u c t i o n o f p a t h o g e n s b y
targeting them for an attack by other nonspecific cells.
IMMUNOGLOBULINS (Ig)
are classified into five types:
1. IgG
2. IgA IMMUNO
3. IgM GLOBULINS
4. IgE
5. IgD

T H E S E A R E S T I M U L AT E D W I T H T H E P R E S E N C E O F
A N T I G E N S I N T H E B O D Y W H I C H A R E E V E N T U A L LY
DESTROYED.
ANTIGENS ARE
SUBSTANCES WHICH COULD BE
FOREIGN
ANTIGENS
DETRIMENTAL TO HEALTH.
AN

ANTI-
BODY
STRUCTURE
THE FIVE TYPES OF ANTIBODIES
OR IMMUNOGLOBULINS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

IgG
IS MAINLY PRESENT IN CIRCULATION WHICH COMES IN CONTACT
DIRECTLY WITH PATHOGENS. THIS IS THE MAJOR FORM OF
ANTIBODY FOUND IN

BLOOD PLASMA
AND PRODUCED IN A SECONDARY IMMUNE RESPONSE. IT IS THE ONLY
ANTIBODY THAT CAN CROSS THE PLACENTA FROM THE MOTHER TO
THE FETUS BECAUSE OF ITS SMALL MOLECULAR SIZE.
 IgA
MOST EXISTS IN BODILY SECRETIONS SUCH AS

SALIVA, TEARS, COLOSTRUM, AND BREAST MILK

OF A LACTATING MOTHER; AS WELL AS IN THE

MUCOSAL LININGS
OF THE DIGESTIVE AND RESPIRATORY TRACTS.
THEY ATTACH TO ANTIGENS SO AS NOT TO REACH THE BLOODSTREAM.

IgM
WHICH IS THE

BROADEST,
IS ALSO FOUND CIRCULATING IN THE BODY.THEY ARE THE
FIRST TO ENCOUNTER THE PATHOGENS THAT REACH THE
BLOODSTREAM
 IgE
PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN ALLERGIC REACTIONS, PARTICULARLY IN STIMULATING THE
RELEASE OF

HISTAMINES.
HISTAMINE, WHICH IS A CHEMICAL COMPOUND PRODUCED AND STORED IN

SOME BODY CELLS THAT ARE PART OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, IS RELEASED WHEN
THE BODY EXPERIENCES AN ALLERGIC REACTION.

IgD
SIGNIFIES ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY TYPE DIFFERENTIATION.

THESE ARE ATTACHED TO THE SURFACE OF B-CELLS. B-

CELLS ARE PRODUCED BY THE BONE MARROW AND
ARE PART OF THE BODY’S ADAPTIVE IMMUNE SYSTEM
THAT GENERATES ANTIBODIES TO SPECIFIC ANTIGENS.
 THE

IMMUNE
SYSTEM
IS SUBJECT TO SEVERAL DISORDERS.

ASTHMA, FOR EXAMPLE, OCCURS DUE TO HYPERSENSITIVITY OF THE AIRWAYS TO DUST, POLLEN,
AND OTHER ALLERGENS WHICH CAN RESULT IN BRONCHOCONSTRICTION, MUCOSAL EDEMA, AND
INCREASED PRODUCTION OF RESPIRATORY SECRETION THAT ALL LEAD TO DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING.
PATIENTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE ASTHMA NEED TO HAVE INHALERS TO PROVIDE BRONCHODILATION
AND SOMETIMES STERIODS IN ORDER TO LESSEN INFLAMMATION AND NARROWING OF AIRWAYS.
VACCINATION
IS THE PROCESS OF INTRODUCING AN ATTENTED OR WEAKEND ANTIGEN IN A SUSCEPTIBLE
HOST.

IT IS DONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING IMMUNITY AGAINST A PARTICULAR INFECTIOUS AGENT.
DURING THE FIRST IMMUNE RESPONSE, THE PRIMARY ANTIBODIES PRODUCED ARE THE IgM TYPE, FOLLOWED A FEW DAYS
LATER BY THE IgG TYPE.
ONCE THE ADAPTIVE IMMUNE RESPONSE IS ABLE TO ELIMINATE THE AGENT, SOME OF THE LYPHOCYTES
BECOME MEMORY CELLS.
WHEN THESE CELLS ARE STIMULATED, SUCH AS IN INSTANCES WHERE THE HOST ENCIUNTERS THE SAME
ANTIGEN (GETS SICK WITH THAT SAME MICROBE), RAPID ELEVATION OF ANTIBODIES OF IgG OCCURS.

LYMPHOCYTES
OBTAIN AN INCREASED CAPABILITY OF FIGHTING OFF ANTIGENS AT RELATIVELY LOWER DOSES
THAN DURING THE FIRST ENCOUNTER.
 B-CELL
DIFFERENTIATION BEGINS EARLIER AFTER ANTIGEN STIMULATION THAN DURING THE
FIRSTRESPONSE. DURING SUBSEQUENT ENCOUNTERS, IMMUNE ACTIVITY BECOMES MORE
INTENSE AND VIGOROUS ACCOUNTING FOR THE RAPID ELEVATION OF IgG LEVELS WHICH
PROTECTS AAGAINST THE INFECTION.
VACCINATION
LESSON SUMMARY

 ANIMALS AND PLANTS HAVE DIFFERENT DEFENSE RESPONSES.

 THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN HUMANS IS THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM, THE SECOND LINE
OF DEFENSE IS THE NONSPECIFIC IMMUNITY; AND THE THIRD LINE OF DEFENSE IS THE
SPECIFIV IMMUNITY.
 IN ANIMALS, THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORKS BEST BY USING ANTIBODIES TO FIGHT AGAINST
DISEASES.
 ANTIBODIES ARE PROTEINS PRODUCED FROM THE CIRCULSTING LYMPHOCYTES THAT HAVE
THE CAPACITY TO WARD OFF FOREIGN SUBSTANCES.
 ANTIGEN IS ANY SUBSTANCE THAT ELICITS AN IMMUNE RESPONSE.
 NONSPECIFIC DEFENSE MECHANISMS INCLUDE PHYSICAL BARRIERS AND THE
INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE.
 NATURALLY IMMUNITY IS A GENETIC PREDISPOSITION. IT IS RECEIVED FROM PARENTS AND
ANCESTORS.
 ACQUIRED IMMUNITY PROGRESSES THE MOMENT A PERSON IS BORN.
 IN ACQUIRED IMMUNITY, ANTIBODIES COULD BE OBTAINED WHEN EXPOSED TO ANTIGENS.
LESSON SUMMARY

 ACQUIRED IMMUNITY CAN TAKE PLACE NATURALLY OR ARTIFICIALLY.

 ALLERGY IS AN IMMUNE SENSITIVITY OR HYPERSENSITIVITY TO FOREIGN AGENTS THAT
RESULTS FROM THE ACTION OF IgE.
 NATURALLY ACQUIRED IMMUNITY HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON IS EXPOSED TO A LIVE
PATHOGEN, DEVELOPS THE DISEASE, AND BECOMES IMMUNE AS ARESULT OF PRIMARY
IMMUNE RESPONSE.
 ARTIFICIALLY ACQUIRED IMMUNITY CAN ALSO BE ACTIVE OR PASSIVE. THIS MEANS THAT IT
COULD BE INTRODUCED THROUGH A VACCINE, A SUBSTANCE THAT CONTAINS ATTENUATED
ANNTIGEN TO ANTIGENS.
 VACCINATION IS THE PROCESS OF INTRODUCING AN ATTENUATED ANTIGEN IN A
SUSCEPTIBLE HOST.
PLANT DEFENSE
RESPONSES
PHYSICAL DEFENSES

VIRUSES, FUNGI, BACTERIA, AND PARASITES COULD DIRECTLY ATTACK

PLANTS AND CAUSE THEIR DEATH.

• THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR PLANTS IS THE PRESENCE OF A

DERMAL COVERING MADE UP OF EPIDERMAL TISSUES.
• MOST OF THESE EPIDERMAL TISSUES SECRETE A WAXY SUBSTANCE
THAT ARE IN THE FORM OF CUTIN OR CUTICLE, BOTH OF WHICH ARE
COMPOSED OF HYDROPHOBIC LIPIDS.
• THIS LAYER HELPS PLANTS CONSERVE WATER AND PREVENTS
ATTACK.
.
 TRICHOMES, BARKS
SPINES, THORNS AND
ALSO HELP IN WARDING OFF ATTACKS BY ENEMIES.
SOME INVADERS CAN PENETRATE THE DERMAL COVERING OF PLANTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOME PARASITIC NEMATODES OR WORMS USE SHARP MOUNT PARTS TO
PENETRATE THE SKIN OF PLANTS.
ONCE PUNCTURED, AN OPENING CAN SERVE AS PASSAGEWAY FOR PATHOGENIC
MICROORGANISMS TO PENETRATE THE PLANT.
 THE ENTRY OF PATHOGENS MAY INDUCE PLANT CELLS TO DEVIDE IN THE
DAMAGED AREAS, THUS, PRODUCING TUMOROUS OUTGROWTH.

SOME FUNGI MAY ENTER THE PLANT THROUGH THE STOMATA OF LEAVES.
FUNGAL HYPHEA CAN PENETRATE THE CELL WALLS BUT NOT THE CELL
MEMBRANES. THE CLOSE CONTACT BETWEEN THE FUNGAL HYPHAE AND THE
CELL MEMBRANE, FACILITATES EASY TRANSFER OF PLANT NUTRIENTS TO THE
FUNGI, THUS HARMING THE PLANTS.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME BACTERIA AND FUNGI THAT ARE BENEFICIAL TO PLANTS
 Rhizobium

which is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium, infects the root hair and other

tissues of most legumes and forms a root nodule. The presence of nitrogen -
fixing bacteria in root nodules help make the soil more fertile by turning
nitrogen into nitrates which the plants can use.
 Rhizobacterium

Which lives around the roots of plants, benefit from root saps or exudates.
In turn, these bacteria provide substances such as hormones needed for
plants growth.
 Azospirillium

Other bacterial species such as Azospirillium also provide plant growth

hormones like gibberellic acid.
 Plants also show systematic responses to invaders.
Wounds, for example, trigger the release of small peptide signalling molecule that travels

PROTEINASE
through the plant body to initiate production of

INHIBITOR , an amino acid peptide.

 The binds to the digestive enzymes in the digestive tract of the herbivore and inhibits the
digestion of protein.
Plants can also protect themselves from specific invaders in ways reminiscent of the animal
immune systems.
 Chemical
Defenses

Chemical defenses
Plants have a unique way of protecting themselves. Some plants are famous for their toxins which kill their enemies. Some
of these toxins are cyanides.

The cyanide-containing compounds are called cyanogenic glycosides that break down into cyanide when
ingested.
 CYANIDE
can stop cellular respiration by blocking the electron transport chain.
When this happens , it kills the attacking organism. Filipinos are very fond of cassava.
They cook it in different ways. The preparation of cassava as food is very crucial. There is a need
to scrub-off and thoroughly wash the outer covering of the modified roots before they are
cooked.

This part is filled with cyanogenic glycosides that break down into MANIHOTOXIN, a bitter
and toxic material. Some plants produce other toxins that make herbivores ill.
 Others repel them with their strong odors and flavors.

The Hemlock Plants, CONIUM MACULATUM, is a highly poisonous plant that could
kill a person from 20 minutes to three hours after ingestion of its extract. The philosopher
Socrates died by drinking hemlock extract, a nuerotoxin, which paralyzes the body.
Ricin, an alkaloid found in castor beans RICINUS COMMINIS, is six times more lethal than
cyanide and is twice as lethal as the venom of cobra.
Plants can also contain other secondary metabolites that may
affect herbivores including human.

Alkaloids found in plants such as caffeine, cocaine, nicotine, and morphine can
affect cellular processes.

Plants can over stimulate the consumer which could be lethal to them.
Plant oils in high concentrations can also be toxic upon ingestion.
The secondary metabolites are enclosed in membrane-bound organelles
which are separated from the rest of the c y t o p l a s m so that they do not get
involved in cellular metabolism.

Another is that the toxins they produce are not harmful unless metabolized by the consumer.
Some have to be ingested first and then metabolized by the body to become toxic.
Plants can also poison other plants. Some plants produce

chemical toxins
that are released to the ground which may prevent
seed germinations
or inhibit the growth of other competing plants.
This strategy, which is called allelopathy , minimizes shading
and overcrowding among plants.

The poison can either affect plants of the same species or of a different species.
For example, where you find black walnuts, you will also notice spacing between trees.
LESSON SUMMARY

 Plants have two general types of defenses mechanisms: physical and chemical
defenses.
 Physical defense structures in plants include trichomes, barks, spines, and thorns.
 Chemical defenses involve the production of toxins.
 Plants may also produce toxins such as manihotoxin in cassava.
 Castor beans produce a very potent toxin called ricin.
 Secondary metabolites in plants help drive away predators.
 Secondary metabolites include caffeine, cocaine, nicotine, and morphine.
 Allelopathy among trees help drive away neighboring trees and results in spacing.
CHAPTER TEST
CHAPTER TEST

1. Nonspecific defenses include

a) Primary immune response
b) Cell-mediated
c) Inflammatory response
d) Secondary immune response

2. Body cells that can destroy bacteria are the

a) Red blood cells
b) Bone cells
c) Nerve cells
d) White blood cells

3. Smallpox is now rare because most people have already received

a) Antibiotics
b) Smallpox antitoxin
c) Smallpox vaccine
d) Sulfa drugs
CHAPTER TEST

4. Antibodies are produced in the body when

a) Germs enter the body
b) Germs exit the body
c) Antiseptic enter the body
d) Antibiotics enter the body

5. Natural immunity defends on

a) Vaccines
b) Toxoids
c) Heredity
d) Antibiotics

6. A toxoid injection stimulates the body to make its own

a) Antibodies
b) Toxins
c) Red blood cells
d) lysins
CHAPTER TEST

7. The type of immunity that is most rapidly developed in the body of a patient is
a) Passive immunity
b) Active immunity
c) Toxoid immunity
d) Natural immunity

8. Because of the development of an effective vaccine, no child needs to suffer from

a) colds
b) Malaria
c) Athlete’s foot
d) Measles

9. Antibodies are
a) B-cells
b) Lipids
c) Y-shaped proteins
d) T-cells
CHAPTER TEST

10. The skin serves as defense against infection by

a) Engulfing pathogens
b) Forming blood clots
c) Serving as physical barriers to pathogens
d) Filtering pathogens

11. Which is not an example of a physical defense structure in plants?

a) Trichome
b) Bark
c) Spine
d) Toxin

12. Which of the following is a bitter and toxic chemical found in cassava?
a) Ricin
b) Nicotine
c) Morphine
d) Manihotoxin
CHAPTER TEST

13. Which of the following does not explain why plants are not poisoned by the toxins
they produced?
a) Plants produce an antidote against the toxins
b) The toxins they secrete may be covered in membrane-bound organelles
c) The toxins are separated from the rest of the cytoplasm
d) Plants produce toxins that must be ingested and metabolized first

14. Which of the following illustrates how plants can benefit from microorganisms?
a) Plants leaves turn yellow because of microorganisms
b) Fungal hyphae penetrate cell walls and absorb nutrients from the plant
c) Microorganisms cause tumorous outgrowth in plants
d) Microorganisms invade root hairs and stimulate the production of gibberellic acid

15. Which of the following shows allelopathy in plants?

a) Plants produce toxins that make herbivores ill
b) Plants repel their enemies with strong odors and flavors
c) Plants produce compounds that inhibit the growth of other plants.
d) Plants have dermal covering that wards off their enemies
CHAPTER TEST ANSWER KEY
CHAPTER TEST ANSWER KEY

1. C
2. D
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. A
7. -
8. A
9. A
10. C
11. D
12. B
13. A
14. D
15. d