Plant Disease — GCSE Biology Revision
Revise Plant Disease for GCSE Biology. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Go to Communicable DiseasesWhat is Plant Disease?
Plants can be infected by a range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, which can cause diseases that damage or kill the plant. Plants have physical defences, like waxy cuticles and cell walls, and chemical defences to resist attack. Common signs of plant disease include discolouration, spots on leaves, and stunted growth.
Board notes: Covered by all major boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR). Students should be able to recognise the signs of common plant diseases and understand how they are caused and spread.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
Rose black spot is a fungal disease. The fungus produces spores that are spread by wind and rain. When they land on a rose leaf, they germinate and infect it, causing purple or black spots to develop. The leaves may then turn yellow and drop off, weakening the plant.
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Common mistakes
- 1Assuming all plant problems are due to disease. Plants can also suffer from nutrient deficiencies (e.g., a lack of magnesium causes yellow leaves) or pest damage, which can look similar to diseases.
- 2Confusing the pathogen with the disease. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is the pathogen; the disease it causes is characterised by a mosaic pattern of discolouration on the leaves.
- 3Forgetting that plant diseases can be spread. Pathogens can be spread by wind, water, insects, and contaminated tools, so hygiene is important in gardening and agriculture.
Plant Disease exam questions
Exam-style questions for Plant Disease with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Plant Disease
Core concept
Plants can be infected by a range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, which can cause diseases that damage or kill the plant. Plants have physical defences, like waxy cuticles and ce…
Frequently asked questions
How can you identify a plant disease?
Identifying plant diseases involves observing the symptoms, such as spots, wilting, or unusual growths, and comparing them to known diseases. Gardeners can use reference books or online resources to help with diagnosis.
How do plants defend themselves against disease?
Plants have physical barriers like the cell wall and waxy cuticle. They can also produce antibacterial chemicals and send signals to other parts of the plant to trigger defences if they are attacked.