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Glite Dictionary
phytoalexin

phytoalexin

1 9.9
A chemical that plants make to fight bacteria or fungi
  • noun
  • /ˌfaɪtoʊəˈlɛksɪn/
  • Specialized
: fitoalexina
  • When attacked by fungi, the plant produces more phytoalexin to protect itself.

Examples

  • The plant produces phytoalexin in response to infection.

  • Scientists study phytoalexin levels to understand how plants resist disease.

  • The discovery of a new phytoalexin could help improve crop resistance to bacteria.

  • Many plants synthesize phytoalexins to combat pathogens.

  • The plant produces phytoalexin to protect itself from fungal infections.

  • During a stressful environment, many plants increase their production of phytoalexin to fight off pathogens.

  • Researchers discovered that the phytoalexin in grapes can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria.

Surface Forms

phytoalexin singular
phytoalexins plural

Morphology

phytoalexin = alexin (opaque) = phyto + alexin

The term is formed from specialised scientific combining forms and denotes a technical biochemical concept, so an average B1 learner cannot reliably derive its meaning from common vocabulary.

Etymology

Phytoalexin comes from Greek parts phyto- meaning 'plant' and -alexin meaning 'to defend' or 'defender'. So, a phytoalexin is a 'plant defender', which explains why it is a substance plants make to protect themselves from harmful bacteria or fungi.