Final answer:
The reaction of a plant to a wound can occur within seconds. Plants activate defense mechanisms and use catalysts to accelerate the decomposition process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reaction of a plant to a wound can occur in as little as seconds. When a plant is wounded, it triggers a series of defense mechanisms to protect itself from further damage and infection. These defense reactions can happen rapidly to prevent the spread of infection. For example, cells surrounding the wounded area may die, stopping the infection from spreading.
The quick response of plants to wounds is due to the presence of substances within the wound's exposed tissues that accelerate the decomposition process. These substances act as catalysts and increase the rate of the reaction. Catalysts are substances that speed up the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.
To summarize, the reaction of a plant to a wound can occur within seconds due to the activation of defense mechanisms and the presence of catalysts that accelerate the decomposition process.