Differences in characteristics of ordinary and intermediate cells in plants
Ordinary cells:
1. Found in the majority of plant tissues.
2. Have a relatively simple structure, with a cell wall, cell membrane, and a nucleus.
3. Serve various functions such as providing support, storing nutrients, and conducting photosynthesis.
4. Do not possess specialized structures or organelles for specific functions.
5. Replacement of these cells occurs through mitosis.
Intermediate cells:
1. Found in certain specialized plant tissues, such as the epidermis or the phloem.
2. Have a more complex structure compared to ordinary cells.
3. Have specialized structures and organelles to perform specific functions.
4. Perform specific functions such as forming the protective outer layer of the plant or transporting nutrients.
5. Replacement of these cells usually occurs through a combination of mitosis and differentiation from stem cells in the meristem.
Ordinary cells and intermediate cells are two types of cells found in plants, and they differ in several characteristics. Here are the differences between these two types of cells:
1. Location: Ordinary cells are found in the outermost layers of plant tissues, such as the epidermis, cortex, and pith. Intermediate cells, on the other hand, are located between the xylem and phloem tissues in the vascular bundle.
2. Structure: Ordinary cells are generally rectangular or elongated in shape, with relatively thin cell walls. They often have specialized structures such as trichomes (hair-like projections) or stomata (pores for gas exchange). Intermediate cells, being part of the vascular system, have more specialized structures such as vessels and companion cells.
3. Function: Ordinary cells have various functions depending on their location. For example, epidermal cells form a protective covering, while cortical cells store food reserves. Intermediate cells are involved in transporting fluids and solutes through the plant. Xylem vessels transport water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, while phloem sieve tubes transport sugars and other organic molecules.
4. Cell wall composition: Ordinary cells generally have primary cell walls that are relatively thin and made primarily of cellulose. Intermediate cells have more specialized cell walls, with both primary and secondary cell walls. The secondary cell walls of xylem vessels, for example, are thickened with lignin, providing structural support.
5. Cell division: Ordinary cells have the ability to undergo mitosis, allowing them to divide and differentiate into specialized cell types during growth and development. Intermediate cells, being part of the permanent tissues, do not actively divide, although some may differentiate from meristematic cells during plant maturation.
In summary, ordinary cells are found in the outer layers of plants and have various functions depending on their specific location. Intermediate cells, on the other hand, are part of the vascular system and are involved in the transport of fluids and solutes. They have specialized structures and more complex cell wall compositions compared to ordinary cells.