University of Port Harcourt
Faculty of Science
Department of Biochemistry
Seminar presentation
on
Biological response of plant to abiotic stress
Presented
by
Enyiogu Stella Chioma
U2019/5535141
Course Coordinator: Mr C.J.Okonkwo
Course code: BCH 429.2
What is Abiotic stress
Abiotic stress refers to the negative impact of non-living environmental factors
on plants, which can impair their growth, development, and productivity. Unlike
biotic stress, which is caused by living organisms (like pests and pathogens),
abiotic stress is triggered by physical or chemical factors in the environment.
These stresses disrupt normal plant physiological processes and often lead to
reduced crop yields or even plant death if not managed properly.
Abiotic stress refers to non-living factors in the environment that negatively
affect the growth, development, and productivity of organisms, particularly
plants.
Examples of Abiotic Stress:
Drought
Salinity
Extreme temperatures
Heavy metals
UV radiation
Types of abiotic stress
● Drought Stress: Water deficiency affecting plant metabolism.
● Salinity Stress: High salt concentrations in soil, disrupting ion balance.
● Temperature Stress: Both high and low temperatures can damage cellular
functions.
● Heavy Metal Stress: Toxic accumulation of metals like lead or mercury.
● UV Radiation: Excess UV light can cause DNA and protein damage.
Plant stress response
Sensing Abiotic Stress:
Plants have specialized receptors and signal transduction pathways that detect
environmental changes.
● Activation of Defense Mechanisms:
● Antioxidant enzyme production
● Osmolyte synthesis
● Hormonal regulation (e.g., abscisic acid)
Role of Antioxidants
Definition: Antioxidants protect plants from oxidative stress caused by reactive
oxygen species (ROS).
Examples of Antioxidants:
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD): Converts superoxide radicals into hydrogen
peroxide.
Catalase (CAT): Breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
Glutathione (GSH): Reduces oxidative damage by neutralizing ROS.
Osmolyte Accumulation
What are Osmolytes?:
Small organic molecules that help maintain cell turgor and protect cellular
structures.
Key Osmolytes:
Proline: Stabilizes proteins and membranes.
Glycine Betaine: Protects cells from dehydration.
Sugars (e.g., Trehalose): Act as osmoprotectants during stress.
Hormone Regulation and Ion
Homeostasis
Abscisic Acid (ABA):
Key hormone in response to drought and salinity stress; regulates stomatal closure to
prevent water loss.
Ethylene:
Mediates responses to various stresses, including salinity and temperature.
Jasmonic Acid (JA) and Salicylic Acid (SA):
Play roles in the regulation of stress responses and defense mechanisms
.
Ion Homeostasis and Transport
Salinity Stress Response:
Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions interfere with plant growth.
Plants regulate ion transporters to minimize ion toxicity (e.g., HKT1 transporter).
Calcium Signaling:
Calcium ions act as second messengers in stress signal transduction pathways.
Heavy Metal Detoxification
Chelation and Sequestration:
Plants produce phytochelatins and metallothioneins that bind heavy
metals and detoxify them.
Antioxidant Role:
Antioxidants combat oxidative stress caused by heavy metals like
cadmium and mercury.
Conclusion
Key Points:
Abiotic stress triggers complex biochemical
responses in plants.
Antioxidants, osmolytes, hormones, and stress
proteins play crucial roles.
Understanding these mechanisms can help in
developing stress-tolerant crops.
Reference
Taiz, L., & Zeiger, E. (2015). Plant Physiology and Development (6th ed.). Sinauer
Association
Foyer, C. H., & Noctor, G. (2009). Redox Regulation and Signaling in Plants: Special Issue
of Antioxidants & Redox Signaling.
Cutler, S. R., Rodriguez, P. L., Finkelstein, R. R., & Abrams, S. R. (2010). Abscisic acid:
Emergence of a core signaling network. Annual Review of Plant Biology, 61, 651-679.
Peleg, Z., & Blumwald, E. (2011). Hormone balance and abiotic stress tolerance in crop
plants. Current Opinion in Plant Biology
Mittler, R. (2017). Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, and Stress Tolerance in Plants. Plant
Science, 177, 453-459.
Zhu, J. K. (2016). Abiotic stress signaling and responses in plants. Cell, 167(2), 313-324.
Thanks for listening
