Monday, March 28, 2011

Lecture 04 Mature tissues, Dermal tissue system






Mature Tissues (Permanent Tissues)
In which growth has stopped completely or for a time. The cells may be living or dead, thin or thick walled.
Tissue types based on kind of constituent cells:
A. Simple
Homogenous, consisting of one kind of cells.  e.g. parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma.
B. Complex 
Heterogenous, consisting of more than one kind
of cells working together as a unit. e.g. xylem and phloem.
The Tissue Systems
All the tissues of a plant which perform the same general function form a tissue system.
There are four main tissue systems:
1. The dermal or epidermal tissue system.
2. The fundamental or ground tissue system.
3. The vascular tissue system.
4. The secretory and excretory tissue system.
The Dermal or Epidermal Tissue System
The dermal system forms the outer protective covering of the plant and is represented in the primary plant body by the epidermis. During secondary growth the epidermis may be replaced by another dermal system; the periderm forming the new protective tissue.
1.         Epidermis (epi= upon, derma= skin).
Composition: Continuous single layer of cells except for certain small pores, called stomata and lenticels. In many plants it may be bi- or multiseriate.
In the case of roots the outermost layer is known as epiblema, piliferous layer or rhizodermis.
Origin: From protoderm or dermatogen of apical meristem.
Functions:-
           Protects the internal tissue from damage.
           Prevents evaporation of water.
           Serves in gas exchange.
           Plays a role in photosynthesis and secretion.
           Acts as store for water in Xyrophytic plants.
           Some develops into secretory tissues, stomata and absorbing hairs.
Shapes and Types of epidermal cells:-
      
2.         Multiple epidermis     Develpos from protoderm.
3.         Hypodermis     Develops from ground meristem.
4.         Piliferous layer
In Monocot roots, called (epiblema or rhizodermis) from which absorbing root hairs arise.
5.         Exodermis
Replaces the ruptured piliferous layer during secondary growth, with thick walled cells.
6.         Periderm
During secondary growth in roots and stems, the epidermis replaced
by the periderm, with dead,
suberized cork cells forming new protective tissue.
7.         Stomata
           Openings in the epidermis, bounded by two guard cells.
           Subsidiary cells = 2 or more cells adjacent to guard cells and differ from other   epidermal cells may be found or not.
           Stomatal opening + The guard cells = Stoma.
           Stomatal opening + The guard cells + subsidiary cells = Stomatal complex or stomatal apparatus.
           Found on the aerial parts of the plant.
Functions of stomata
           Gas exchange with aid of substomatal chamber.
           Water transpiration and evaporation.
Positions of guard cells
           Leveled:- At the same level of the epidermal cells.
           Sunken :- Blow the level of the epidermal cells.
           Sunken in chamber :- In grooves, covered with hairs.
Types of Stomata
A. Monocotyledonous Types
           Iris type                                                                      Gramineae type
      No subsidiary cells.                        Two lateral subsidiary cells , one on each side.
                                                                                                  
           Palmae type                                                                            Canna type:-
Four subsidiary cells, two round & smaller.                        Four - six subsidiary cells.
B. Dicotyledonous Types
           Anomocytic (Ranunculaceous type)                 Anisocytic (Cruciferous type)
                    No subsidiary cells.                                 Three unequal subsidiary cells.
           Paracytic (Rubacious type)                              Diacytic (Caryophyllaceous type)
  Two or more subsidiary cells parallel                 Two subsidiary cells perpendicular
          to the long axis of the pore.                                to the long axis of the pore.
8. Epidermal Appendages (Trichomes or Hairs)
Outgrowth of the epidermal cells, either covering (non-glandular) or glandular.
Functions of trichomes
           Control the rate of transpiration.
           Reduce the heating effect of sun light.
           Protect the plant against outer injurious effects.
Types of trichomes
I. Non-glandular (e-glandular)
    A. Unicellular: Formed of one cell.
           a. Papillose            b. Unbranched             c. Branched             d. Stellate
     B. Multicellular: Formed of more than one cell.
           a. Unbranched (simple).

                                             
           b. Branched
1. Simple-branched                                                                        2. Tree-like
 Uniseriate body ending with two branches.                       Radiating unicellular hairs.
3. Peltate (scale hair)                                                             4. Candelabra
 Very short stalk ending with                                Uniseriate axis from which arise
        plate-like structure.                                 numerous unicellular  branches of hairs.
II. Glandular
Has a swollen head formed of one or more secreting cells which may be:
A. Unicellular
(Pearl gland) with embedded foot and the head projecting outside.
B. Multicellular
      a. Uniseriate stalk
          1. Unicellular head                                                 2. Multicellular head
         
One of the most interisting type of trichomes  is Stinging hair
 Contains poisonous liquid, consisting of basal bulb-like portion from which a stiff, slender, tapering , small knob-like point,when the animal or human body comes in contact with it , the sharp pointed end penetrates the skin and the fluid is transferred from the basal bulb to the body causing irritation.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Lecture 03 Meristematic tissues


Meristem
   A meristem is the tissue in all plants consisting of undifferentiated cells (meristematic cells) and found in zones of the plant where growth can take place. Differentiated plant cells generally cannot divide. The term meristem was derived from the Greek word merizein, meaning to divide. Meristematic cells are analogous in function to stem cells in animals.
Characteristics of  Meristematic Cells
           Incompletely or not at all differentiated,
           Capable of continued cellular division (youthful).
           Small and protoplasm fills the cell completely.
           The vacuoles are extremely small.
           The cytoplasm does not contain differentiated plastids, although they are present in rudimentary form (proplastids).
           Meristematic cells are without intercellular cavities.
           The cell wall is a very thin primary cell wall.
Classification of Meristems According to Origin
A. Primary Meristems
           Protoderm - lies around the outside of the stem and develops into the epidermis.
           Procambium - lies just inside of the protoderm and develops into primary xylem and primary phloem. It also produces the vascular cambium, a secondary meristem.
           Ground meristem - develops into cortex and pith. It produces the cork cambium, another secondary meristem.
These meristems are responsible for primary growth, or an increase in length.
B. Secondary Meristems
           Vascular Cambium - produces secondary xylem and secondary phloem, this is a process which may continue throughout the life of the plant. This is what gives rise to wood in plants. Such plants are called arborescent. .
           Cork Cambium - gives rise to the periderm which replaces the epidermis.
Classification of Meristems According to Position
           Apical Meristems - (Shoot apex) - The source of all above-ground organs, (Root apex) - It is covered by the root cap, which protects the apical meristem from the rocks, dirt and pathogens and (Floral meristem) - When plants begin flowering, the shoot apical meristem is transformed into an inflorescence meristem which goes on to produce the floral meristem which produces the familiar sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels of the flower.
           Lateral Meristems - they are involved in lateral growth e.g. Vascular cambium and Cork cambium.
           Intercalary Meristem - Occur only in monocot (particularly grass) in stems at the base of nodes and leaf blades. Intercalary meristems at the nodes allow for rapid stem elongation, while those at the base of leaf blades allow damaged leaves to rapidly regrow.
Theories of Development and Differentiation of Meristems
Apical Cell Theory
Solitary apical cells occur in many bryophytes and pteridophytes formed all tissues and organs of the plant. The apical cell theory was proposed as the basis for an understanding of the method of growth and morphology in many groups. But the theory was not applicable to seed plants.
Histogen Theory
Under this theory the more or less distinct major regions of the stem and root apex were called histogens (tissue builders). This theory, in contrast to the apical cell theory, placed the origin of axis apices in a group of initials. The histogens were:
The dermatogen: a uniseriate, external layer; formed the epidermis.
The periblem: the region between plerome and dermatogen. Formed the cortex.
The plerome: a central core; formed the pith and primary vascular tissues.

Tunica and corpus Theory
The growing apex of the stem is differentiated into:
Corpus: in the middle of apical meristem, divide to form the central vascular cylinder and cortex.
Tunica: outer enveloping layer around the corpus, divide to form the epidermis and part of the cortex in some cases.
Promeristem theory
The promeristem region is differentiated into:
Protoderm: formed the epidermis in stem and piliferous layer in the root.
Procambium: formed primary phloem and primar xylem.
Ground meristem: formed the cortex and the pith.
Mature Tissues (Permanent Tissues)
In which growth has stopped completely or for a time. The cells may be living or dead, thin or thick walled.
Tissue types based on kind of constituent cells:
A. Simple
Homogenous, consisting of one kind of cells.  e.g. parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma.
B. Complex 
Heterogenous, consisting of more than one kind
of cells working together as a unit. e.g. xylem and phloem.
The Tissue Systems
All the tissues of a plant which perform the same general function form a tissue system.
There are four main tissue systems:
1. The dermal or epidermal tissue system.
2. The fundamental or ground tissue system.
3. The vascular tissue system.
4. The secretory and excretory tissue system.
The Dermal or Epidermal Tissue System
The dermal system forms the outer protective covering of the plant and is represented in the primary plant body by the epidermis. During secondary growth the epidermis may be replaced by another dermal system; the periderm forming the new protective tissue.
1.         Epidermis (epi= upon, derma= skin).
Composition: Continuous single layer of cells except for certain small pores, called stomata and lenticels. In many plants it may be bi- or multiseriate.
In the case of roots the outermost layer is known as epiblema, piliferous layer or rhizodermis.
Origin: From protoderm or dermatogen of apical meristem.
Functions:-
           Protects the internal tissue from damage.
           Prevents evaporation of water.
           Serves in gas exchange.
           Plays a role in photosynthesis and secretion.
           Acts as store for water in Xyrophytic plants.
           Some develops into secretory tissues, stomata and absorbing hairs.
Shapes and Types of epidermal cells:-
      
2.         Multiple epidermis     Develpos from protoderm.
3.         Hypodermis     Develops from ground meristem.
4.         Piliferous layer
In Monocot roots, called (epiblema or rhizodermis) from which absorbing root hairs arise.
5.         Exodermis
Replaces the ruptured piliferous layer during secondary growth, with thick walled cells.
6.         Periderm
During secondary growth in roots and stems, the epidermis replaced
by the periderm, with dead,
suberized cork cells forming new protective tissue.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Lecture 02 Components of plant cell


Components of Mature Cell
A typical plant cell is formed of protoplasmic (living) and non- protoplasmic contents.
protoplasmic contents
Plastids
There are several different types of plastids,
organelles unique to plants.
Three main types are:
           Chloroplasts 
           Chromoplasts 
           Leucoplasts 
Mature plastids develop from small, green protoplastids in growing, embryonic plant cells.
Chloroplasts
The word chloroplast is derived from the Greek words chloros, which means green, and plast, which means form. Contain chlorophyll-bering units grana embedded in stroma. Found in tissues exposed to light. Responsible for photosynthesis.
Chromoplasts
Contain color due to carotenoid (yellow, orange, red) and xanthophyll (yellow) pigments stored in their vacuoles and oil droplets. Highly concentrated in the petals of animal-pollinated flowers and the skins of animal-dispersed fruit, function in providing color necessary to attract pollinators and seed dispersers.
Leucoplasts
Category of plastid found in plant cells. They are non-pigmented, in contrast to other plastids. Lacking pigments, leucoplasts are not green, so they are located in roots and non-photosynthetic tissues of plants. They may become specialized for storage of starch, lipid or protein and are then known as amyloplasts, elaioplasts, or proteinoplasts respectively.

Special Forms of Plastids
A. Etioplasts
Chloroplasts that have not been exposed to light. They are usually found in flowering plants (Angiosperms) grown in the dark. If a plant is kept out of light for several days, its normal chloroplasts will actually convert into etioplasts. Etioplasts lack active pigment and can technically be considered leucoplasts. High concentrations of etioplasts will cause leaves to appear yellow rather than green.
B. Statoliths
Specialised forms of amyloplast used by plants in detecting and responding to gravity. Statoliths are denser than the cytoplasm and tend to move towards the bottom of the cell, indicating which direction is 'down'. They are found mainly in root tissues.
Stromules
Plastids inside plant cells are often interconnected by a network of microscopic tubules known as stromules.
Non-Prptoplasmic contents
The ergastic substances formed as a result of metabolic activity may be waste products or stored food materials.
A. starch grains
Starch or amylum is a carbohydrate consisting of a large number of glucose units. In photosynthesis, plants use light energy to produce glucose from carbon dioxide. The glucose is stored mainly in the form of starch granules, in plastids such as chloroplasts and especially amyloplasts.

B. Crystals
      Solid waste products that are deposited in plant tissues in the form of calcium salts and silica. In some taxonomic groups the type, morphology and location of these structures is of systematic significance.
Calcium salts are mostly deposited as:
I. Calcium Oxalate Crystals
      Calcium oxalate crystals in plants are formed from endogenously synthesized oxalic acid and calcium from the soil solution in contact with plant roots. Calcium oxalate is a poisonous substance. The poisonous plant (Dieffenbachia) contains crystals and on ingestion can prevent speech and be suffocating. Kidney stone sufferers should not eat plants high in oxalates.
II. Calcium Carbonate Crystals
Deposited in the form of Cystolith ("cavity" and "stone") it is a botanical term for the inorganic concretions, usually of calcium carbonate, formed in a cellulose matrix in special cells, generally in the leaf of plants of certain families.
Meristem
   A meristem is the tissue in all plants consisting of undifferentiated cells (meristematic cells) and found in zones of the plant where growth can take place. Differentiated plant cells generally cannot divide. The term meristem was derived from the Greek word merizein, meaning to divide. Meristematic cells are analogous in function to stem cells in animals.
Characteristics of  Meristematic Cells
           Incompletely or not at all differentiated,
           Capable of continued cellular division (youthful).
           Small and protoplasm fills the cell completely.
           The vacuoles are extremely small.
           The cytoplasm does not contain differentiated plastids, although they are present in rudimentary form (proplastids).
           Meristematic cells are without intercellular cavities.
           The cell wall is a very thin primary cell wall.
Classification of Meristems According to Origin (Promeristem theory)
A. Primary Meristems
           Protoderm - Lies around the outside of the stem and develops into the epidermis.
           Procambium - Lies just inside of the protoderm and develops into primary xylem and primary phloem. It also produces the vascular cambium, a secondary meristem.
           Ground meristem - Develops into cortex and pith. It produces the cork cambium, another secondary meristem.
These meristems are responsible for primary growth, or an increase in length.
B. Secondary Meristems
           Vascular Cambium - Produces secondary xylem and secondary phloem, this is a process which may continue throughout the life of the plant. This is what gives rise to wood in plants. Such plants are called arborescent. .
           Cork Cambium - Gives rise to the periderm which replaces the epidermis.
Classification of Meristems According to Position
A.        Apical Meristems - (Shoot apex) - The source of all above-ground organs, (Root apex) - It is covered by the root cap, which protects the apical meristem from the rocks, dirt and pathogens and (Floral meristem) - When plants begin flowering, the shoot apical meristem is transformed into an inflorescence meristem which goes on to produce the floral meristem which produces the familiar sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels of the flower.
B. Lateral Meristems - They are involved in lateral growth e.g. Vascular cambium and Cork cambium.
C. Intercalary Meristems - Occur only in monocot (particularly grass) in stems at the base of nodes and leaf blades. Intercalary meristems at the nodes allow for rapid stem elongation, while those at the base of leaf blades allow damaged leaves to rapidly regrow.
Theories of Development and Differentiation of Meristems

Apical Cell Theory
Solitary apical cells occur in many bryophytes and pteridophytes formed all tissues and organs of the plant. The apical cell theory was proposed as the basis for an understanding of the method of growth and morphology in many groups. But the theory was not applicable to seed plants.
Histogen Theory
Under this theory the more or less distinct major regions of the stem and root apex were called histogens (tissue builders). This theory, in contrast to the apical cell theory, placed the origin of axis apices in a group of initials. The histogens were:
The dermatogen: a uniseriate, external layer; formed the epidermis.
The periblem: the region between plerome and dermatogen. Formed the cortex.
The plerome: a central core; formed the pith and primary vascular tissues.

Tunica and corpus Theory
The growing apex of the stem is differentiated into:
Corpus: in the middle of apical meristem, divide to form the central vascular cylinder and cortex.
Tunica: outer enveloping layer around the corpus, divide to form the epidermis and part of the cortex in some cases.
Promeristem theory
The promeristem region is differentiated into:
Protoderm: formed the epidermis in stem and piliferous layer in the root.
Procambium: formed primary phloem and primar xylem.
Ground meristem: formed the cortex and the pith.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Lecture 01 Introduction and Plant Cell Wall

Fundamental Parts of the Plant Body
The majority of plants such as spermatophytes (phanerogams), comprising plants that produce seeds, have bodies composed of two major systems: the root system and the shoot system. The former is usually underground, and the latter above ground. To succeed and grow simultaneously in two such entirely different environments—air and soil—requires many adaptations, starting with cellular modifications into specialized kinds of tissues (groups of similar cells that are organized in a structural and functional unit) followed by development of organs (structures composed of several kinds of tissues grouped in a structural and functional unit). The acquisition of form and structure is called morphogenesis and is a highly orchestrated procedure controlled by the DNA of the plant cells but influenced as well by the environment.

The Plant Cell
The term cell is derived from the latin word cellula which means a small apartment, it is the smallest unit of structure and function of a living organism. The main components of the plant cell are cell wall, cytoplasm and nucleus.

                                                 Animal Cell       Versus              Plant Cell
Cell wall                                        Absent                                        Present
 Plastids                                        Absent                                        Present

The Cell Wall
      One of the most important distinguishing features of plant cells is the presence of a cell wall. Unlike animals, whose lack of this type of structure allows their cells more flexibility, which is necessary for locomotion.
Formation of Cell Wall
     The middle lamella is laid down first, formed from the cell plate during cytokinesis, and the primary cell wall is then deposited inside the middle lamella. In some plants and cell types, after a maximum size or point in development has been reached, a secondary wall is constructed between the plant cell and primary wall. Cells with secondary cell walls are rigid.
Strata or Layers of Cell Walls
           The middle lamella, a layer rich in pectins. This outermost layer forming the interface between adjacent plant cells and glues them together.
           The primary cell wall, generally a thin, flexible and extensible layer formed while the cell is growing (cell division).
           The secondary cell wall, a thick layer formed inside the primary cell wall after the cell is fully grown (cell maturation).
Chemical Composition of Primary Cell Wall
           The main chemical components of the primary plant cell wall include cellulose (in the form of organized microfibrils), a complex carbohydrate made up of several thousand glucose molecules linked end to end.
           In addition, the cell wall contains two groups of branched polysachrides, the pectins (provides theability to resist compression) and cross-linking glycans (increase thetensile strength). Organized into a network with the cellulose microfibrils.
           In addition to these networks, a small amount of protein can befound in all plant primary cell walls. Some of this protein is thought to increase mechanical strength and part of it consists of enzymes, which initiate reactions that form, remodel, or breakdown the structural networks of the wall.
Fine Structure of Primary Cell Wall
Consists of two continueous interpenetrating systems:
           Cellulose fibrils (microscopic threads):
The chain-like molecules of cellulose are combined into bundles forming Micellae which in turn are aggregated into larger units called Microfibrils which aggregated into coarse fibrils called Macrofibrils which can be seen by light microscope.
           Microcapillary spaces: Filled with incrusting substances such as cellulose, hemi-cellulose, pectic substances, lignin and proteins. Waxes, cutin, suberin and sporopollenin are also found.
Biosynthesis of Cell Wall Materials
Pectic substances are formed in the Golgi apparatus and are transported to the cell wall in the Golgi vesicles.
Growth of Cell Wall
Two theories:
• Growth by intussusception, where new microfibrils were held to be laid down between existing microfibrils.
• Growth by apposition, where new microfibrils were laid down on top of the existing ones, forming a new layer.
Parenchyma cell is an example of a cell having primary cell wall.

Structure of Secondary Cell Wall
           Show microscopic layering. The microscopic layers are commonly known as the S1 (outer), S2 (middle) and S3 (inner).
           The S3 layer is the thinner one  and may be absent altogether.
           The S1 layer normally consists of four submicroscopic lamellae, alternate ones having microfibrils  in opposed helices.
           The S2 layer is the middle , consists of numerous lamellae in which the orientation of the microfibrils is at only a small angle to the long axis of the cell. The microfibrils of this very thick  wall layer  aggregated into macrofibrils.
Chemical Composition of Secondary Cell Wall
   Deposited inside the primary cell wall as a cell matures, sometimes has a composition nearly identical to that of the earlier-developed wall (Pectin in Collenchyma). Additional substances, especially lignin (in Sclerenchyma), lignin  provides structural support to plant cells and makes plant cell walls less vulnerable to attack by fungi or bacteria, as do cutin (Thick cuticle on epidermis), suberin (in Cork cells) and other waxy materials that are sometimes found in plant cell walls.
Functions of Cell Wall
   The plant cell wall serves a variety of functions. Along with protecting the intracellular contents, the structure gives rigidity (mechanical support) to the plant, provides a porous medium for the circulation and distribution of water and minerals.

Special structures of cell wall
  1. Plasmodesmata
Plasmodesmata are narrow channels that act as intercellular cytoplasmic bridges to facilitate communication and transport of materials between plant cells. The plasmodesmata serve to connect the symplastic space in the plant and allow for intercellular movement of water, various nutrients, and other molecules. Plasmodesmata are located in narrow areas of cell walls called primary pit fields.
  1. pits
  1.  Pit is a cavity in the cell wall, allowing exchange of substances between adjacent cells. In other words it is a small region of the cell wall in which the primary wall is not covered with secondary wall materials.
Pit structure
      A pit consists of a pit cavity (the aperture in the secondary wall) and a pit membrane (the primary wall material adjacent to the cavity).
Types of pits
    There are three main types of pits, Simple, Bordered and Branched.
I. Simple pit
    A pit in which the cavity remains uniform in width or gradually becomes either wider or narrower during growth in thickness of the secondary wall, lacking a border, found in certain parenchyma cells, extraxylary fibres, and sclereids. 
Types of Simple Pits
a. Simple Pit-pair
    Two adjacent pits from opposing cells sharing a common pit membrane.
b. Blind pit
      A pit without an adjacent complementary one in the joining wall.
II. Bordered Pit
      Possess an extension of the secondary cell wall (border, arching) over part of the pit cavity.
Structure of Bordered Pits
      Possess a thickening of the primary wall material, termed a torus, in the central part of the pit membrane, the remaining unthickened part being termed the margo. Bordered pits mainly occur in vessel elements, tracheids, and fibres in the xylem, but may also occur in some extraxylary sclerenchyma cells.
Types of Bordered Pits
a. Bordered pit-pair
        The pairing of bordered pits from adjacent cells.
b. Half-bordered
       Referring to pit-pairs in which one is bordered, and the adjacent one is simple. This is the case in pits linking parenchyma cells and tracheary cells.
III. Branched Canal Pit: In thick-walled cells with small lumen (stone cells).