In an agricultural trial, tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) are infected with the vascular wilt bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum. The bacteria multiply rapidly, clogging the xylem vessels with extracellular polysaccharides (slime) and releasing enzymes that destroy the neighboring phloem tissue in the stem.
Explain how the blockage of xylem vessels and the destruction of phloem tissue cause the tomato plant to die.
Practise AQA GCSE Biology Plant tissues, organs and systems with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 29 questions covering Plant tissues and Plant organ system, matched to the AQA GCSE Biology (8461) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.