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Plants respond to pathogen infection and mechanical or herbivore-induced wounding by localized production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a phenomenon often referred to as the "oxidative burst". Although some potential sources of ROS in plant cells have been identified, it is still unclear which mechanisms predominate during plantpathogen interactions. ROS have a role in initiating the hypersensitive response, a form of programmed cell death induced by incompatible (avirulent) pathogens, and direct effects on the pathogen, increased oxidative cross-linking of cell wall polymers and induction of pathogen response gene expression. In this paper we focus on the chemistry and the role of these compounds during a plant-pathogen interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]