Efficiency

​Energy for creating resistance to a pathogen is wasted if the pathogen is not present.  Corn, like most plants and animals, gains efficiency by keeping the genetic codes for creating resistance in the DNA in cell nucleus.  Signaling proteins in the cytoplasm of cells are apparently specific for each need such as creation of cytoplasmic resistance to an invading pathogen. Small RNA molecules cause string of DNA in the nucleus to create Messenger RNA that migrates through the nuclear membrane to ribosomes within the cell.  The RNA codes for distinct strings of amino acids, creating the specific proteins needed for creating the resistance to the invading pathogen. The speed and intensity of these elements contribute to the effectiveness of the resistance.  We attempt to measure this effectiveness with our field evaluations of a plant reactions to the pathogen by rating overall lesion development and just assume that the signaling, DNA transcription, mRNA movement and protein creation happened.  We cannot avoid marveling at the efficiency of activity in living cells.