Disease resistance refers to the ability of a plant or animal to limit or avoid the negative impacts of a pathogen or other disease-causing organism. Organisms have complex biological mechanisms that provide innate immunity against diseases.
In plants, disease resistance involves blocking or slowing the growth and spread of bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogens. This is mediated by R genes which recognize disease proteins and trigger defense responses. These defenses include strengthening cell walls, producing antimicrobial compounds, and sacrificing infected cells. Crop breeders actively work to introduce disease resistance traits into commercial varieties.
In animals, the immune system provides disease resistance through physical barriers, chemical defenses, and cell-mediated immunity. Physical barriers like skin prevent pathogens from entering the body. If a pathogen gets through, the innate immune system responds with inflammation, cytokines, and cells that engulf pathogens. The adaptive immune system also produces antibodies and memory cells after an initial infection, allowing stronger responses upon subsequent exposures.
Why is disease resistance important?
Disease resistance allows organisms to avoid the fitness costs and mortality risks of infections. For crop plants, resistance increases yields and prevents crop losses from plant diseases. Resistant crop varieties are essential for sustainable agriculture.
For humans and livestock animals, disease resistance improves health, wellbeing, and productivity. Individuals with deficiencies in immune function are more vulnerable to infections. Supporting our immune systems with a healthy lifestyle and monitoring key biomarkers like vitamin D levels (as Hormone Harmony helps clients do) can maintain disease resistance.
How is disease resistance achieved?
Plants achieve disease resistance through inherited R genes and induced systemic defenses. Breeders transfer R genes between plant varieties to introduce resistance. Growers also use crop protection products to trigger systemic acquired resistance (SAR).
Animals inherit variations in immune genes that alter disease resistance. They can also improve resistance by encounter pathogens during development which primes and trains the adaptive immune system. Maintaining good nutrition, reducing stress, and avoiding immunosuppressive hazards enhances resistance. Hormone Harmony offers supplements and hormone therapies that research suggests may optimize immune function.
I hope this overview has helped explain what disease resistance is and why it matters! Let me know if you have any other questions.