How do plants protect themselves from insects? A practical laboratory exercise to illustrate the defence mechanisms of the plant through secondary metabolites
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL EDUCATION(2022)
摘要
Despite the growing awareness of the importance of plant secondary metabolites in insect-plant interactions, undergraduate degree content in agronomy and biology generally does not provide a clear concept to students in relation to secondary metabolite induction of plant defences, implying that students do not obtain a good understanding of the secondary metabolism or its functions. To address this deficiency, we have designed a practical exercise where students determine the phytochemical induction of secondary metabolites in aromatic plants subjected to herbivory. This approach involves an experimental laboratory class in which students evaluate the phenolic compounds and main essential oil compound induction in peppermint damaged by an armyworm. By the end of this exercise, based on the results and findings, students will: have a better comprehension of plant defence responses to herbivores; be able to illustrate the consequences of insect herbivory in relation to plant secondary metabolites induction; acquire lab skills related to the use of a spectrophotometer; be able to understand and analyse a GC chromatogram report. Authentic research experiences in the classroom are considered valuable elements for promoting science at undergraduate level, as well as providing motivation for the student and linking research with teaching.
更多查看译文
关键词
Herbivory, insect-plant interaction, secondary metabolites, experimental laboratory class, applied learning
AI 理解论文
溯源树
样例
![](https://originalfileserver.aminer.cn/sys/aminer/pubs/mrt_preview.jpeg)
生成溯源树,研究论文发展脉络
Chat Paper
正在生成论文摘要