phytoalexin
[ fahy-toh-uh-lek-sin ]
/ ˌfaɪ toʊ əˈlɛk sɪn /
noun Biochemistry.
any of a class of plant compounds that accumulate at the site of invading microorganisms and confer resistance to disease.
Words nearby phytoalexin
phytate,
phytic acid,
phytin,
phyto-,
phytoagglutinin,
phytoalexin,
phytobezoar,
phytobiology,
phytochemical,
phytochemistry,
phytochrome
British Dictionary definitions for phytoalexin
phytoalexin
/ (ˌfaɪtəʊəˈlɛksɪn) /
noun
botany
any of a group of substances produced by plants that inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi that infect them
Word Origin for phytoalexin
C20: from
phyto- + Greek
alexein to ward off