Plant cell specialiastion

• Differentiation


  The process where cells become specialized
• Key structures in a plant cell

  • Chloroplasts
  • Cellulose cell wall
  • Permanent vacuole
• Root hair cells

  • Increase the surface area of the root to absorb water and dissolved minerals more effectively
  • Do not contain chloroplasts
• Xylem cells


  • Have very thick walls containing lignin to provide support
  • Have broken down end walls to form long tubes for water and dissolved minerals to flow
• Xylem cells


  Have no internal structures like nucleus, cytoplasm, vacuole or chloroplasts
• Phloem cells


  • Consist of two types: phloem vessel cells and companion cells
  • Phloem vessel cells have no nucleus and limited cytoplasm, with porous end walls (sieve plates) to allow flow of dissolved sugars
  • Companion cells have mitochondria to provide energy to the phloem vessel cells
• Phloem tubes carry dissolved sugars up and down the plant