Do plants get cancer? Why or why not?
In: Biology
Plants get tumors, but it’s debatable whether they qualify as cancer. Examples of a tumor on a plant include a burl or crown gall. The tumors are uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells, which is one definition of cancer. But tumors don’t spread throughout the body (called metastasizing) in plants like they do in humans because plant cells have cell walls that make the structure rigid and lock cells in place. Some definitions of cancer include that it spreads, so in that sense the term wouldn’t apply.
I suggest an image search of “tree tumor”. Lots of examples so you can recognize them on your next walk in the forest.
Latest Answers