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Can a Fungus Save Plants from Global Warming?

Topic
  • Microbiology
  • Archaea & Eukaryotes
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Plant Anatomy & Physiology
  • Environmental Science
  • Climate Change
Resource Type
  • Videos
  • Animated Shorts
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Duration
00:08:02
Favorited By
16 Users
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Description

This short video explores how the symbiotic relationship between certain plants and fungi allows these organisms to survive in very hot temperatures.

Just like animals and humans, plants have their own microbiomes, which help the plants stay healthy and provide them with nutrients. Some of these microbiomes include symbiotic fungi that can help certain plants deal with tremendous environmental stress, including heat stress. One of these plant species is a type of grass that lives around the geysers and hot springs in Yellowstone National Park. A microscopic fungus called Curvularia protuberata that lives inside the grass helps it survive the extreme temperatures in its environment. Scientists are studying how fungi like this might be used to help alleviate the impacts of climate change on food crops.

This video is part of the series I Contain Multitudes, hosted by science journalist Ed Yong.

Details
Key Terms

adaptation, agriculture, endophyte, heat stress, heat tolerance, obligate mutualism, panic grass, symbiosis

Primary Literature

Redman, Regina S., Kathy B. Sheehan, Richard G. Stout, Russell J. Rodriguez, and Joan M. Henson. “Thermotolerance Generated by Plant/Fungal Symbiosis.” Science 298, 5598 (2002): 1581. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/298/5598/1581.


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Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level

This resource and the accompanying documents comply with accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 03.23.18
Date Updated 03.23.18
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2.B, HS-ESS3.D

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1, EVO-3

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.C

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

7.3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5

Materials
Transcript (PDF) 321 KB
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