Plants have evolved chemical defenses like proteinase inhibitors and toxic compounds to protect themselves from damage. Jasmonic acid (JA) is a key signaling compound that induces these defenses. JA is synthesized from linolenic acid through the octadecanoid pathway. It regulates processes like growth, photosynthesis, and defense. JA signaling involves peptide signals like systemin and leads to both local and systemic responses in plants.