One of significant difference between animal and plant cell is the cell wall. Plants cells have a rigid and clear structured surrounding cell wall. This cell wall provides both strength and support to the cell. Also, it helps in hindering between the plant cells. It gives direct contact from one cell to another. While overcoming from one cell to another, there will be an intercellular connection which acts as the bridge for the cytoplasm of two cells. Let's look into the plasmodesmata topic in detail.
Structure of plasmodesmata:
Plasmodesmata is a bridge linking one cell to another. It surrounds the open space of the tube is a membrane. And it runs in the center is called desmotubule, which consists of tightly packed endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, the endoplasmic reticulum is continuous one which is between the two cells. Plasmodesmata present in between the desmotubule and cytoplasmic sleeve. The cytoplasmic sleeve is a membrane. These sleeves have different structures. Actin and myosin are structures which provides contractile forces to aid. The forces help in the transportation.
Function of plasmodesmata:
The function of plasmodesmata is to facilitate the movement of cells by molecules. These movement ranges from smaller products like photosynthetic products to large proteins like mRNA. They perform as crucial in both vascular tissue and in the movement of nutrients. But In animal cells, they do not move. Plasma offers direct contact, when they are capable of interaction between other cells. Also, the size of plasmodesmata differs from cells to cells. The main function of plasmodesmata is intercellular transport in both during mature tissue and in developing tissue.
Plasmodesmata defense system and other features:
The connectivity of plasmodesmata also response in certain triggers. The plasmodesmata are able to defense against infection. The plasmodesmata seals the blocks to passage and infected cells. This prevents from the entry of pathogens to other cells. Hence, plasmodesmata also works as defense mechanism.
Plasmodesmata are microscopic tubular extensions of the plasma membrane, that go through the cell wall and connect the cytoplasm of two cells next to each other in plants. Most cells in plants are interconnected through the plasmodesmata. These connections form the symplast and the the symplast pathway, which is where materials are able to move between cells through the cytoplasm. The joined cell walls form the apoplast and the apoplastic pathway, which is where materials are able to move between cells through the cell wall. A single plasmodesmata consists of a tubular gap in the cell wall of adjacent cells. The two adjacent cells are separated around the plasmodesmata by their respective cell walls and a middle lamella. In the center of this tubular gap is a tubule of endoplasmic reticulum of the two adjacent cells called desmotubule. If we looked at a cross-section through this plasmodesmata, then you can see that, within the desmotubule is a central rod. The gap between the desmotubule and the plasma membrane is called the cytoplasmic sleeve or cytoplasmic annulus. The membrane of the desmotubule and plasma membrane are lined with globular proteins, which are connected by spoke like extensions that create smaller channels along the plasmodesmata, the space within these smaller channels are called central cavities. The function of plasmodesmata in general is in forming a pathway for small molecules and other substances such as plant hormones to move between the cytoplasm of cells.
Conclusion:
Plasmodesmata is a membrane, which is present and does an important role in plant cells. It also acts as primary defense system by stopping the entering pathogens. This article will clearly explain about the structure and function of it.
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