Induced Chemical Defense in Plants

Surprising parallels exist between the chemical defense mechanisms of plants and animals. The biosynthesis of defensive substances in plants can be induced by microbial or herbivoral attack. Recent results demonstrate that the chemical defense of plants is mediated by lipid-based signaling systems. Volicitin (1) acts as a chemical signal in a tritrophic interaction of plants and insects. Derivatives of jasmonic acid (2) play a key role in directing the chemical defense response.