Exercise 4

The Typical Plant and Modified Secretory Cells

The plant cell is the structural and functional unit of the plant body. In a typical plant cell,
all the activities are controlled by the nucleus because it is the cellular organelle which contains
the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that serves as the blue-print for all the reactions and processes
of the cell to start. The cytoplasmic portion of the cell also contains membrane – bounded
organelles and inclusions that performs specific reactions (synthesis or breakdown of
substances) for the cells to survive. Aside from the nucleus, these organelles include the
plastids, mitochondria , golgi bodies, endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles, peroxisomes,
endosomes and microbodies. Like other cells, a macromolecular complex which is made up of
proteins and ribonucleic acid (RNA) is also found in plant cells. Moreover, the cell inclusions or
ergastic substances are also found in plant cells. These substances are products of plant
metabolism (e.g., crystals, starch and pigment granules).

In plants, modified cells are found that perform secretory, excretory and storage
functions. Examples of plant secretions include gums, resins, essential oils, latex and others.

Objectives: After the exercise, the students will be able to:

1. Describe the cell structures observed in living plant cells.
2. Describe the structural attributes and location of modified plant secretory cells.

Materials:

Video for Allium cepa cells

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H92NLVMhss
Video of the plant Dieffenbachia showing secretory cells (Idioblasts)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8FdV20BkiY

Trichomes,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed2ieMAvyKY

Video of Leaf structure for chloroplasts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxwhu1_aygk

Pinus stem (L section) showing the laticifer: Pictures provided in the exercise.
Procedure:

A. The Typical Plant Cell

Observe in the video the cells from the bulb of Allium cepa. The cells of the epidermis
are shown.
Look for a cell with distinct parts. Observe the nucleus. This is a rounded structure
eccentrically located. Within the nucleus is a dark dot, the nucleolus. The cell wall is
the outer most covering of the plant cell and located inner to it is the cell membrane.
Draw one cell and label the structures you have actually observed.

Observe the video with cells with rounded chloroplasts undergoing cyclosis. Draw
one cell and label the chloroplasts indicate the direction of cyclosis by arrows.

Drawing of A Typical Plant Cell

Allium cepa (onion)

Cell membrane

Cell wall
Cytoplasm

Nucleolus Nucleus

Fig. 1. Allium cepa cells stained with Toluidine Blue O.

Drawing of Cyclosis in A Typical Plant Cell

Chloroplasts

Fig. 2. Cyclosis in plant cells.

 B. Modified Plant Secretory Cells

1. Glandular Trichomes

Observe the video of glandular trichome of basil. This type of trichome is also
found in leaves of Chrysophyllum cainito (star apple or caimito) and species of
Bignoniaceae like Tecoma stans (yellow bells). Observe presented in the video.

Draw the different types trichome: glandular, star-shaped, pointed.

Different Types of Trichomes

Fig. 3

Fig. 3.1. Glandular Trichomes Fig. 3.2. Star-shaped Trichomes Fig. 3.3. Pointed Trichomes

2. Idioblasts (secretory cells)

Observe a secretory cell known as idioblast on the video provided. This type of cell
is found in Araceae (Gabi family). Search for an idioblast. Observe for the secretion
process and how the release of the secretory crystal is done. Draw crystalline
secretion on the box below and classify according to the form.

DRAWING OF CRYSTALLINE SECRETION FROM PLANTS

Fig. 4

Raphide Crystals

Druse Crystals
Idioblast

Fig. 4.1. Raphide Crystals from Plants Fig. 4.2. Druse Crystals from Plants
 Styloid
Prismatic Crystals
Crystals

Fig. 4.3. Prismatic Crystals from Plants Fig. 4.4. Styloid Crystals from Plants

3. Laticifers

Laticifer is a type of secretory cell found in plants that produce latex and
rubber. The secretion is stored inside the secretory cell.

Below is a longitudinal section of the stem of Ficus elastica. Observe for long
tubes that contain latex. Observe the presentation describing a laticifer that
the teacher provides to you. Identify the type of laticifer you observe in the
following picture. In addition to the video, compare it with the two types
labelled below.

Laticife Laticifer
rs s

• Articulations can be detected between individual cells due to the brown hue caused
by stained latex. From the images provided, I have observed that Ficus elastica,
contains articulated laticifers, which is illustrated on the left image. Articulated
laticifers consist of unbranched or branched series of cells, which are usually
elongated.
On the other hand, the right image, presents a non-articulated laticifers. They
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 develop from a single cell in the embryo; this cell extends along with plant
development and develops across neighboring cells intrusively through tip growth.
The cells divide into multinucleate (coenocytic) cells as a result of karyokinesis
occurring without cytokinesis.

4. Secretory Ducts and canals

These cells differ from the laticiferous ducts because their products are
secreted into the intercellular spaces.

Observe for resin ducts/ canals found in the cortex of Pinus provided below.
The slender parenchyma cells surround a large opening the resin canal.

A Secretory Ducts

A Secretory Canal

Source: nature-microscope-photo-video.com

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 • As the plant ages, the resins that were secreted into its intercellular gaps continuously
expands. In pine species, resin ducts or canals are specialized structures where resin is
produced and stored. This network of interconnecting ducts transports resin to wounded
areas. Resin ducts are an excellent indicator of a tree's pest and pathogen resistance since
they serve as sites for resin synthesis, storage, and transport.

Questions:
1. What are the cellular structures observed in the video?
The first video of the epidermis of Allium cepa (onion) contains cell structures such as
nucleus, nucleolus, cell membrane, cell wall, and cytoplasmic bridges were observed.
The second video shows the process of cyclosis in the presence of chloroplasts.
The third video shows the different types of trichomes which are glandular, star-shaped, and
pointed.
The fourth video of Dieffenbachia crystalline secretion presented how the idioblast releases
raphide crystals which acts as defense against grazing animals.

2. Give examples of the secretions produced by:

a. Laticifers – latex and rubber
b. Glandular cells
• glandular trichomes - terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and acyl sugars
• idioblast - raphide crystals
c. Secretory ducts and canals – resin

3. What are the functions of epidermal hairs to the plants?

- They play an important role in plant growth and development by protecting plants from
UV light, insect predation, and excess transpiration. They are also particularly designed
to absorb water and mineral nutrients. Also, they store and secrete secondary
metabolites in a species- and cultivar-specific fashion.

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