Plasmodesma facts for kids
The structure of a primary plasmodesma. CW=Cell wall CA=Callose PM=Plasma membrane ER=Endoplasmic reticulum DM=Desmotubule Red circles=Actin Purple circles and spokes=Other unidentified proteins.
Plasmodesma (plural is 'plasmodesmata') is a microscopic channel across the cell wall of a plant cell. It allows transport and communication between neighbouring cells. Plasmodesmata also evolved independently in some algae.
Unlike animal cells, every plant cell is surrounded by a polysaccharide cell wall. Neighbouring plant cells are therefore separated by a pair of cell walls. Although cell walls are permeable to small soluble molecules, plasmodesmata allow direct, regulated, intercellular transport of substances between cells.
Similar structures connect animal cells. Stromules form between plastids in plant cells.
Images for kids
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Tobacco mosaic virus movement protein 30 localizes to plasmodesmata
See also
In Spanish: Plasmodesmo para niños
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Plasmodesma Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.