Plant cell wall

Plant cell wall is a dynamic and highly specialized network formed by a heterogeneous
mixture of cellulose, hemicelluloses and pectins.

During cytokinesis at the end of mitosis of a plant cell a cell plate is formed at the middle across the cell.
This cell plate is made up of a gelatinous calcium and magnesium pectate (Calcium salts + pectic acids)
secreted by Golgi complex.

On each side of the cell plate each cell makes to deposit the primary cell wall. Primary cell wall is made
up of cellulose micro fibrils and hemicelluloses are embedded in the amorphous pectin polymers.
Thereafter depends on the function and location of the cell secondary wall is deposited on the
primary wall.
Cellulose micro-fibrils comprise linear cellulose molecules formed from β glucose
molecules joined by (1,4)-glycosidic bonds. These chains are packed through inter- and
intra-chain hydrogen-bonding networks and van der Waals forces:
During cell plate deposition certain areas with endoplasmic reticulum are left out. Primary and
secondary cell walls will not be deposited in these areas and leads to formation of cytoplasmic
connections between adjesent cells called plasmodesmata.

During specialization of plant cells the cells which provide mechanical strength and experience more
pressure is further thickened and lignified.
During this process number of secondary wall layers deposited and later lignin (a poly phenolic
compound) get impregnated in to the wall between micro fibrils and get hardened.

Lignin is water insoluble and impermeable. As a result, intercellular material exchange stops, the cells
die. These cells are called sclerenchyma cells. They are two types

1. Vessel elements in the Xylem which transport water and mineral ions.
2. Fibers which associated with Xylem and phloem providing mechanical strength.

There are three types of cells.

1. Parenchyma cells – Thin walled Living cells, present in any part of a plant, with many
different shapes and capable of performing any function (least differentiation)., and have
plasmodesmata and inter cellular spaces between cells.

2. Collenchyma – Basically similar to parenchyma cells but length is more than width. Corners
are thickened with secondary wall but no lignification. Therefore, living, and able to perform
any function as parenchyma. In addition, these cells can provide mechanical strength too.
Usually present on either sides of vascular bundles and under the epidermis (periphery of
the cortex in herbaceous plants. Plasmodesmata and inter cellular spaces between cells.

3. Sclerenchyma – specialized cells for water and mineral ion transport (xylem vessels) and
mechanical support (fibers and sclerides).
These cells are thick walled, lignified and dead.
i. Xylem vessel elements- Short and broad cells with open ends. These can join end to
end to form long xylem vessels. No cytoplasm or any cell inclusions, hollow and
open ended, making more efficient water and mineral ion transport by mass flow.
ii. Fibers. Thin and long cells with pointed ends. Lignified thick walls and a narrow
lumen is present. It is dead.
 Prenchyma cells Collenchyma cells sclerenchyma cells ad Sclerides

Plant Organs 1. Dicotyledonous Stem

Stem usually consist of three tissues, dermal tissue (epidermis), ground tissue (cortex, pith )

and vascular tissue (xylem and phloem).
The dermal tissue covers the outer surface of the stem and usually functions to waterproof,
protect and control gas exchange. ... The arrangement of the vascular tissues varies widely
among plant species.
 Xylem is made up of several types of cells.

Tracheids are long cells that help transport xylem sap and also provide structural support.

Vessel elements are shorter than tracheids, but also help conduct water. They are found in
flowering plants, but not in gymnosperms like pine trees. Vessel elements have perforation
plates that connect each vessel element to form one continuous vessel.

Xylem also contains parenchyma, a tissue that makes up most of the soft parts of plants, and
long fibers that help support the plant. In a cross section of a plant, under a microscope, xylem
appears star-shaped.

Phloem tissue
Phloem sieve tubes are primarily composed of two main types of cells – sieve tube
element cells and companion cells
 The phloem also contains sclerenchyma fibers and parenchymal cells which fill
additional spaces and provide support

The Sieve tube elements and companion cells

The sieve tube elements are elongated, narrow cells, which are connected
together to form the sieve tube structure of the phloem. The sieve element cells
are the most highly specialized cell type found in plants. They are unique in that
they do not contain a nucleus at maturity and are also lacking in organelles such
as ribosomes, cytosol and Golgi apparatus, maximizing available space for the
translocation of materials

Companion cells have a nucleus, are packed with dense cytoplasm contain

many ribosomes and many mitochondria. This means that the companion cells
are able to undertake the metabolic reactions and other cellular functions, which
the sieve element cannot perform as it lacks the appropriate organelles. The
sieve elements are therefore dependent upon the companion cells for their
functioning and survival.
Mineral ion nutrition
C H O P K N ‘S Ca Fe Mg - macro elements
From air Mineral ions from Soil

CU Zn, Cl is a Bad Mod Man micro elements

. Role of minerals

1. Components of plant body and protoplast. 

2. Catalytic compounds. 
3. Osmotic potential.
4. Maintains suitable pH (Acidity and alkalinity )buffer action 
 5. Maintenance of electrostatic neutrality

Sources of essential elements for plants

1. Water 
2. Soil
3. Air

Soil-less culture or solution culture

 The study of the importance of mineral nutrients required by plants and there
individual deficiency symptoms is done with the help of Watter culture or soil culture.
 To study the effect of deficiency of an element, that particular element is omitted
from standard culture solution and plant is grown in it.
 This is compared with control culture solution.
 Due to deficiency of particular mineral plant shows deficiency symptoms which are
known as hunger sign. 

Hydroponics
 The cultivation of plants in a nutrient-rich solution, rather than in
soil, and under controlled conditions of light, temperature, and
humidity. Also called aquaculture. 
 Commercially hydroponic cultures are maintained in large
shallow concrete, cement, wood or metal tanks in which gravel
and nutrient solutions are taken. The tanks are provided with
pumps and empty auxiliary tanks to pump out and circulate the
growth solution and to maintain proper aeration of the
nutrient solution.
 This method may be used to increase yield of ornamentals such
as gladioli, snapdragon, roses and vegetables such as
carrot, radish, potatoes, tomatoes and lettuce.

Advantages:

 It is possible to provide the desired nutrient environment.

 The acid-base balance can be easily maintained.
 Mulching, changing of soil and weeding are eliminated.
 Proper aeration of nutrient solution is possible. 
 Labour for watering of plants can be avoided.
  Tilling is not necessary. Disadvantages:

 Production is limited when com

 Technical skill is required to de
 If a disease appears all plants
affected.
  Hydrophonics / Aeroponics is a system where roots of
a plant are suspended into a plastic vessel and misted
with a oxygenic nutrient- enriched water.
 The plants are usually suspended through baskets
towards the top of a shut trough or cylinder. 
 With the actual plants suspended in this way, all
important nourishment could be provided towards the
roots through spraying them with a nutrient solution. 
 Since the actual roots tend to be suspended in midair,
they receive the most of air possible. 
 This process is also probably the most nutrient-
efficient and any kind of nutrient that isn't absorbed is
actually drained back to the tank. 

Sand culture
 In this process, the plants are cultivated in
sand enriched with nutrient solution.
 The sand after being washed with acid and  Potato Plant in Sand Culture:           Pot
then distilled water is filled in suitable Nitrogen deficiency Com
containers.  Gro
 Nutrient solution is added to sand from  Growth severely restricted, few hea
time to time. stems; yellowing of older foliage
 The sand culture is preferred over solution
culture as its provides natural aerated
conditions.

Disadvantages

 Highly alkaline soil need to be treated with

acid before use.
 The sand get too warm in summer and too
cold during winter.
Deficiency symptoms of mineral nutrients

 Deficiency of the mineral results into certain morphological abnormalities. 

 Any visible deviation from the normal structure and function of the plant is called a
symptom

1. Stunting: The growth is retarded. The Stem appears condensed and short.

2. Chlorosis: It is the loss of chlorophyll resulting in the yellowing of leaves.
3. Necrosis: Localized death of tissues of leaves.
4. Mottling: Appearances of patches of green and non green on the leaves.
5. Leaf curles: Abnormal curling of leaves due to unequal growth.
6. Abscission: Premature fall of flowers, fruits and leaves.
7. Wilting: Loss of turgor in the cells resulting in the drooping of leaves and young stem
and tips.
8. Heart rot:Internal softening and rottening of tissue due to their disintegration.

Role and deficiency symptoms of Macronutrients

 

Role and deficiency symptoms of Micronutrients (Given in PPT )

UPTAKE OF MINERALS :

MECHANISM :

 Plants absorb minerals from the soil and translocate them to other parts of the body. 
 Minerals are absorbed in the form of soil solution contained in the pore spaces between the s
root hair.
 The soil solution contains the mineral salts in the dissolved state. 
 The movement of ions into the cell is called influx and the movement of ions from the cell to
as efflux. 
 Usually the uptake of mineral ions by the plant cells or tissues involve two main phases.