Knowledge Organiser
Part of Plant Diseases and Defenses · GCSE GCSE Biology revision
This topic summary covers Knowledge Organiser within Plant Diseases and Defenses for GCSE Biology. Plant pathogens, defense mechanisms, disease identification, crop protection It is section 17 of 17 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 17 of 17
Practice
18 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
Knowledge Organiser
Plant Pathogens
- Fungi — Rose black spot, potato blight
- Bacteria — fire blight, canker
- Viruses — TMV, cucumber mosaic virus
- Nematodes / protists / parasitic plants
Rose Black Spot
- Pathogen type: fungus
- Symptoms: black/purple spots, chlorosis, leaf drop
- Spread: spores via air and water
- Treatment: fungicide + remove infected leaves
TMV
- Pathogen type: virus
- Symptoms: mosaic pattern (light/dark patches)
- Mechanism: disrupts chloroplasts
- Effect: reduced photosynthesis, stunted growth
- Spread: aphid vectors, contact
Physical Defenses
- Waxy cuticle — hydrophobic barrier
- Cellulose cell walls — structural resistance
- Bark — dead cell outer layer
- Thorns/spines — deter herbivores
Chemical Defenses
- Antimicrobial proteins — kill bacteria/fungi
- Antifungal compounds — prevent spore germination
- Toxins — poison pathogens and herbivores
- Induced response — activated on infection
Disease Symptoms Summary
- Spots + surface growth = fungal
- Mosaic/mottling = viral
- Wilting + soft rot = bacterial
- Chlorosis = loss of chlorophyll (any cause)
- Stunted growth = reduced photosynthesis
Mineral Ion Deficiencies
- Nitrate — needed for amino acids/proteins; stunted growth, older leaves yellow first
- Magnesium — needed for chlorophyll; all-leaf chlorosis, reduced photosynthesis
- Potassium — needed for enzyme function; poor fruit/flower, leaf edge scorch
- Minerals absorbed by active transport via root hair cells
Common Mistakes
- Confusing nitrate and magnesium deficiency: Both cause chlorosis, but nitrate = stunted growth + older leaves yellow first; magnesium = all leaves yellow (needed for chlorophyll). Examiners penalise mixing these up — state which leaves are affected.
- Naming "a fungal disease" instead of rose black spot: Examiners require the specific disease name. "A fungal disease" scores zero where the question asks for a named example — always write "rose black spot" (fungus) and "TMV" (virus).
- Describing TMV symptoms without explaining the mechanism: Writing "TMV causes yellow patches" loses marks. The required chain is: virus disrupts chloroplasts → reduced chlorophyll → reduced photosynthesis → less glucose → stunted growth. Each arrow is a mark point.
- Stating minerals enter by diffusion: Mineral ions enter root hair cells by active transport — against the concentration gradient, requiring ATP from respiration. Writing "diffusion" loses the mark because diffusion is passive and moves down a gradient.
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Practice Questions for Plant Diseases and Defenses
What type of pathogen causes rose black spot disease?
Explain how rose black spot affects the growth of infected plants.
Quick Recall Flashcards
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