Funny Nature & Travel Art & Stage Going Viral Science Greetings Inspirational

Edit Profile Recently Viewed Favorites

Main > Nature & Travel > Nature

Cancers and Tumors in Plants are Nothing to Worry About

Edited By: Tamar Z.

Add to Favorites In Favorites

Español

Font Size:

A+ A-

Cancer has been a concern for living creatures since the first forms of civilization started building up. The earliest documentation of cancer is from an Egyptian papyrus dating back to 1500 BC. This disease has been affecting not only humans, but also animals for millennia, and it makes a lot of sense when you come to think of it. After all, we all have cells in our bodies, don't we? But what about plants? They have cells too. Can plants get cancers and tumors? And if so, are they as life-threatening to them as they are to us?

This isn't a fruit! It's a wasp gall on an apple tree

In short, the answer is yes. But not in the sense you're used to when talking about cancer. Plants (especially and specifically trees) can and do get tumors, but these aren't as fatal to the plant as they may be for mammals. This is due to several fundamental differences in the most basic structures of our bodies - the cells.

Plant anatomy is cancer-proof

Cells in a mammal's body can easily travel around it, and they do so constantly. This happens to you even now as you read these lines- blood cells travel all around your cardiovascular system. But this mechanism of cells being able to travel around the body (called metastasizing) is what makes cancer so fatal to us. This mechanism allows cancer to spread from one organ to another.

Plant cells can't travel around the plant's body. This means that even if a plant has a tumor, it won't ever spread. And the reason plant cells don't travel around is because of their structure. Our cells are surrounded by a soft membrane, through which molecules can get in and out as part of normal cell functioning. Plant cells have an additional rigid cell wall that surrounds the soft membrane and prevents the cells from moving around. This rigid cell wall serves many functions. For instance, it prevents the cells from collapsing and shriveling when there isn't enough water in the cell.

Being immune to death in the face of cancer is built into the very anatomy of trees. Unlike us mammals, plants don't have any vital organs- a heart or a brain that are essential for life. If any part of the plant is compromised by a cancerous growth, the plant can simply grow a new one. Oh, to be a plant!

Types of tree cancers

Crown galls/Source

The vast majority of documented cases of plant cancer have been caused by external pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, or pests. They can't get cancer from carcinogens like the sun's radiation or air pollution.

There are two common forms of cancer in trees. One causes crown galls and is triggered by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. You've probably seen this at least once in your life, it looks somewhat like this:
crown galls on a eucalyptus tree Crown gall on a eucalyptus/Source

Another tumor-causing organism is called Plasmodiophora brassicae. It causes what we call clubroot- swollen, deformed roots. Plant tumors aren't always caused by an external pathogen. Plants more susceptible to these mutations are usually hybrids of two varieties. But by far, the most interesting of them all is the tumor caused by the gall wasps, the mechanism of which is described below:

having trouble playing this movie? click here

Sources: 1, 2, 3.

Like Next Post Send Share WhatsApp

Copy Link

Did you mean:

Continue With: Facebook Google

By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy

Report copyright infringement

Print this content

You may also like:

Nature

11:49

Is It Possible For Humans To Ever Be As Fast As Cheetahs?

The average cheetah can run at a speed of 80 – 130 km/h (50-80 mph)! Why are humans so slow in comparison?

Nature

8:42

Beautiful Nature: The Tadpole Migration

This is the story of one of the greatest migrations, while also being one of the tiniest ones...

Science and Technology

A Child's Discovery May Hold Much Promise

Science: Can Plants That Come Back From the Dead Save Us?

These extraordinary organisms may hold the key to solving one of the world's most urgent problems: feeding a growing population on a warming, drying planet.

Nature

Hammerhead Sharks - Revolutions Strangest Turn

18:00

Hammerhead Sharks - Eevolution's Strangest Turn

Around 20 million years ago evolution introduced hammerhead sharks. Why did evolution make such a surprising turn and what makes these sharks so uniqe?

Science and Technology

Turns Out Catnip is an Insect Repellent For Cats Too

3:53

Why Do Cats Like Catnip?

Are they really getting "high," or is there scientific logic behind cats' love of catnip?

Science and Technology

Monkey Plays Pong By Connecting Its Mind to a Computer

3:29

Ever Seen a Monkey Play Pong With Its MIND?

You're about to see TWO incredible things in this video.

Art

14 Drawings That Encapsulate Life and Parenting

14 Charming Drawings That Encapsulate Life and Parenting

Sergio Duce is a Spanish artist who specializes in simple drawings with deep meaning, showing us what our shadows can reveal if we look at them the right way.

Health

Scientists Explore a Brain Cleaning Method for Dementia

A New Study Finds Possible CO2 Treatment for Dementia, shedding light on the process of dementia as well as a possible treatment from a surprising source.