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Plasmodesmata

Plasmodesmata

The organs in a multicellular organism’s body are made up of tissues formed by cells. To work together cohesively, cells must communicate. One way that cells communicate is through direct contact with other cells. The points of contact that connect adjacent cells are called intercellular junctions.

Plasmodesmata

Plasmodesmata

In a multicellular organism, cells must communicate to work together in a coordinated manner. One way that cells communicate is through direct contact with other cells. The points of contact that connect adjacent cells are called intercellular junctions.
Intercellular junctions are a feature of fungal, plant, and animal cells. However, different types of junctions are found in different kinds of cells. Intercellular junctions found in animal cells include tight junctions, gap junctions, and...

The Apoplast and Symplast

The Apoplast and Symplast

Plant growth depends on its ability to take up water and dissolved minerals from the soil. The root system of every plant is equipped with the necessary tissues to facilitate the entry of water and solutes. The plant tissues involved in the transport of water and minerals have two major compartments - the apoplast and the symplast. The apoplast includes everything outside the plasma membrane of living cells and consists of cell walls, extracellular spaces, xylem, phloem, and tracheids. The...

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.

Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

The xylem of vascular plants distributes water and dissolved minerals that are taken up by the roots to the rest of the plant. The cells that transport xylem sap are dead upon maturity, and the movement of xylem sap is a passive process.

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 4, 2025

A Strategy to Validate the Role of Callose-mediated Plasmodesmal Gating in the Tropic Response

A Strategy to Validate the Role of Callose-mediated Plasmodesmal Gating in the Tropic Response

Published on: April 17, 2016

Auxin fluxes through plasmodesmata.

Leah R Band^1,2

¹Centre for Mathematical Medicine and Biology, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.

The New Phytologist

|May 30, 2021

Summary

Understanding auxin movement through plasmodesmata is key to plant development. This review details how plasmodesmatal auxin diffusion impacts plant growth and outlines future research directions for auxin dynamics.

Keywords:

auxin diffusion hormones phenotypes plant development plasmodesmata transport

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Last Updated: Nov 4, 2025

A Strategy to Validate the Role of Callose-mediated Plasmodesmal Gating in the Tropic Response

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Published on: April 17, 2016

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Published on: February 18, 2010

Area of Science:

Plant Biology
Developmental Biology
Molecular Plant Physiology

Background:

Auxin is a critical plant hormone regulating development.
Auxin transport occurs through various mechanisms, including diffusion via plasmodesmata.
Plasmodesmatal auxin diffusion influences key developmental processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advances in understanding auxin dynamics.
To highlight the role of plasmodesmatal auxin diffusion in plant development.
To identify future research avenues in auxin transport.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on auxin dynamics and transport.
Analysis of research investigating plasmodesmatal diffusion of auxin.
Synthesis of findings on the impact of auxin diffusion on plant development.

Main Results:

Plasmodesmatal auxin diffusion significantly affects auxin distribution within plant tissues.
This diffusion mechanism plays a crucial role in phototropism, lateral root emergence, and leaf hyponasty.
Recent studies have elucidated the mechanisms and consequences of plasmodesmatal auxin transport.

Conclusions:

Characterizing plasmodesmatal auxin diffusion is essential for understanding plant development.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex roles of auxin dynamics.
Future studies should focus on the precise regulation and impact of auxin transport pathways.