Definition

A type of antibiotic that plants produce when they are attacked by microorganisms, helping them to defend against diseases.

Example

The plant released phytoalexins to protect itself from the fungal infection.

Conversation

Did you know that some plants produce phytoalexin to fight off diseases?

Really? I had no idea plants could do that!

Yeah, it's like their natural defense mechanism against microorganisms.

That's fascinating! Nature really has some amazing tricks.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Phytoalexin → It is formed from "phyto-" (from Greek "phyton", meaning plant) and "alexin" (from Greek "alexein", meaning to defend or protect). The word refers to substances produced by plants as a defense mechanism against pathogens.

Memory Tip

Think of 'phyto-' meaning plant and 'alexin' meaning to defend — phytoalexin is a plant's way of defending itself.

Visually Confused Words