What are Tracheids?
Tracheids are elongated cells that transport water and mineral salts through the Xylem of vascular plants. Tracheids are one of two groups of tracheary elements. The other is vessel elements. Tracheids do not have perforation plates, unlike vessel components. Because Tracheids are single-celled, their maximal capacity is potentially limited.
The presence of tracheary elements is a distinguishing feature of vascular plants that distinguishes them from non-vascular plants. Tracheids have two main functions: contributing to the transportation system and providing structural support. The secondary walls have thickenings in a variety of shapes and sizes, including annular rings, continuous helices (known as helical or spiral), a network (known as reticulate), and transverse thickenings.
What are Tracheids and Vessel Elements?
The primary Xylem is composed of Protoxylem and Metaxylem. Secondary growth in thickness of the stem and root of Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons is accompanied by the formation of secondary Xylem. The structural elements of the Xylem are Tracheids, vessels or Tracheae, Xylem fibres, Xylem parenchyma and rays.
Structure of Tracheid Cells
Tracheids are the Xylem's most basic cell type. They have a chisel-like look and are elongated tube-like cells with tapering ends. At maturity, the cells are no longer alive, and the mature cells are devoid of protoplast. The secondary cell wall is heavily lignified, and the cells are angular and polygonal in cross-section. The Tracheid is 5–6 mm long on average.
Pits perforate a large portion of the cell wall of Tracheids. They also have pit pairs on their common walls between two neighbouring Tracheids. Simple circular pits or advanced bordered pits are both possible.
Pteridophytes have only one Xylem element: Tracheids. Tracheids make up the majority of the secondary Xylem in Gymnosperms. Tracheids coexist with other Xylem elements in Angiosperms. The Xylem of certain primitive Angiosperms, such as Drimys, Trochodendron, and Tetracentron, consists solely of Tracheids (vessels absent).The ferns are one of the oldest Tracheophytic plant lineages, and they can be found in a variety of environments, from arctic to deserts and the tropical tropics. Modern ferns have Tracheid-based Xylem, like their coniferous ancestors, but the structure–function links of fern Xylem are poorly known.
Patterns of Secondary Thickening in Tracheids
The secondary cell wall materials are laid down in complex patterns on the lateral walls of the Tracheids. The following are the most common patterns:
Annular Thickening: Secondary wall thickening appears as a series of rings stacked on top of each other. The most primitive form of wall thickening is annular thickening.On the inner side of the major wall, there are ring-like thickenings. The remainder of the wall is rather thin.
Spiral Thickening (Helical Thickening): The secondary wall materials are accumulated in spirals along the inner wall of the Tracheids at this location.Spiral or helical thickening of secondary wall materials is what these are. There might be several helixes. ProtoXylem is an example.
Scalariform Thickening (Ladder-like Thickening): The wall materials are laid down in transverse bands along the length of the wall. There are few interconnections between the bands.Like the rungs of a ladder, the thickenings appear as parallel transverse bands.
Reticulate Thickening (Net-like Thickening): The pattern of wall thickening here is net-like (reticulate).Because the meshes are narrow, the secondary wall looks like a network.
Pitted Thickening: In Tracheids, it is the most advanced method of secondary wall thickening. The secondary wall materials are uniformly distributed in the inner portion of the cell, and the cell wall thickness appears to be more or less uniform. Pits can be found all over the cell wall. In different plant classes, the nature and structure of the pits differ. The pits may be circular or elongated with a border. Scalariform pitted thickening is a type of advanced pitting pattern in which elongated bordered pits are arranged in a ladder-like pattern.
Primary Pit Fields
Without secondary walls, Meristematic cells and their descendants have several deeply sunken patches on their walls. Primary pit fields are these depressions in the primary wall. They are also known as primary pits or Primordial Pits because they contain Plasmodesmata.
Meaning of Pit
All of those are tiny, finely defined, more or less circular spots on the cell wall that look like depressions in the wall when viewed from the surface. Secondary wall materials are not deposited in these regions. The secondary wall layers are not continuous at the pit location, unlike the primary pit, and the primary wall is not covered. Pits can be built on top of or below the principal pit field, i.e. above the primary wall. Pit chamber, pit aperture, and pit membrane are the three components of a pit. The pit void, also known as the pit chamber, is a section of the secondary wall that has been interrupted. The mouth or entrance of the pit chamber, which faces the cell lumen, is called the pit aperture.
Types of Pit
Simple pit: When the secondary wall does not arch over the pit chamber and the rim of the pit aperture has no boundary, the pit is considered to be simple.
Ramiform pit: The simple pit appears as a channel in the cell wall in the transverse section of exceptionally thick-walled brachysclereids.
Bordered pit: In lignified fibres, Tracheids, and trachea, it can be discovered. The pit cavity is partly contained in these pits by over-arching of the secondary cell wall, which may be seen in the longitudinal section.
Bordered Pit Ultrastructure
The structure of bordered pits is convoluted. Pit chamber refers to the pit cavity that is encircled by the overhanging borders. In bordered pits, the pit opening might be circular, linear, oval, or irregular in shape. A pit canal emerges as the pit's border becomes substantially thicker, forming a route between the pit chamber and the cell lumen. An exterior aperture faces the pit chamber, whereas an inner aperture faces the cell lumen. The inner aperture is usually big and lenticular, whereas the outer aperture is usually small and circular. The inner aperture is often big and lenticular, with a tiny and circular exterior aperture. These holes resemble compressed funnels in appearance.
Elements of Xylem include Tracheids, Vessels, Xylem fibres, Xylem Parenchyma.
Xylem Tracheids Function
Tracheids' Structural Advancement in Relation to their Functions: Tracheids have been specifically adapted to perform functions such as water and mineral conduction and mechanical support in plants. The following are the Tracheid structural innovations that better fit these functions-
Tracheid cells are long and tapered at the ends.
When cells reach maturity, they are devoid of protoplasts (ensure easy flow of water)
Secondary cell wall with a thick lignified layer (provide mechanical support)
Pit pairs are supported on the lateral and end walls (facilitate lateral conduction of water)
The long axis of the organ in which they occur is lined up with cells.
The pit membrane allows water and minerals to move through.
The torus of the pit acts as a valve that regulates the flow of water.
Vessels
Vessels (also known as the trachea) are the second type of Xylem element, and they are made up of short, tube-like cells. Vessels are arranged in an end-to-end pattern along the long axis of the organ in which they are found. Vessel segments or vessel elements are the vessel's components. The length of each vessel feature is shorter than that of Tracheids, but the diameter of the vessel lumen is much larger than that of Tracheids. The cells are dead and devoid of protoplast as they reach maturity. The lateral walls of the vessels have several pits for contact.
Vessel Structure in Relation to Its Functions
The vessel system is made up of a long tube-like structure made up of a series of cells positioned end to end. The term "vessel member" or "vessel element" refers to each cell. Perforations (large openings) in the end walls of each vessel member allow water and minerals to flow freely between the cells. Vessel members are typically shorter than Tracheids. Vessels, on the other hand, have a much greater diameter than Tracheids. This allows water to flow more quickly and efficiently through the vessel lumen.
The vessel cells in advanced forms have a shorter length and a larger diameter, and they behave as drum-shaped structures (as in Quercus alba). Either vessel member's end wall is oblique or transverse. Vessels with oblique ends are regarded as primitive, whereas those with transverse ends are considered advanced. Some species, such as Malus, have a tail-like tip that extends beyond the end wall. Perforations are the openings or pores in each vessel's end wall (Perforation plate: the region of the vessel with perforation occurs). Perforations are most often seen on the end wall, but lateral perforations may also occur.
Perforation plates in vessels come in a variety of shapes and sizes-
Simple perforation plate
Multiple perforation plate
Scalariform perforation plate
Reticulate perforation plate
Forminate type perforation
Vessels' primary role is to transport water and nutrients. Aside from that, vessels provide mechanical assistance. These two roles are better served by the vessel's structure. End-to-end, the vessel components are arranged to form long tube-like channels. This is ideal for the continuous flow of water and minerals. Mechanical support is provided by a thick lignified cell wall.
Xylem Parenchyma
Xylem Parenchyma is a type of Parenchyma that is one of the components of the Xylem. Primary and secondary Xylem both have Xylem parenchyma, which comes from the procambium and the cambium, respectively. Xylem-parenchyma, also known as wood parenchyma, is found in the secondary Xylem and is divided into axial and radial parenchyma, which run parallel and perpendicular to the organ's long axis, respectively. The fundamental function of it is to store starch, fat, and orgastic chemicals, among other things. Minerals, solutes, and water, among other things, are transported via it. When turgid, it provides mechanical support. The plant's mechanical strength is provided by the thick-walled Parenchyma.
Difference Between Tracheids and Vessels
One noteworthy distinction between Tracheids and vessels is that Tracheids can hold water due to their ability to withstand gravity, while vessels cannot. This is due to the fact that Tracheids have a greater surface-to-volume ratio than vessel cells. Tracheids, on the other hand, do not have perforated end plates, while vessels do. This is a significant distinction between Tracheids and vessels.
Tracheids can be found in all vascular plants, but vessel cells are unique to angiosperms. Tracheids, on the other hand, are single cells with openings on both ends (hence the name "syncytes"), while vessels are formed by the joining of several cells in various arrangements (thus are syncytes).
The differences between Xylem vessels and tracheids have been summarized in the following table:
Comparison between Xylem Vessels and Tracheids
Similarities Between Tracheids and Vessels
Xylem is made up of two groups of cells: Tracheids and vessels.
Both are non-living cells that help the plant transport water and minerals.
Both have thickened cell walls that are heavily lignified.
Furthermore, both are elongated tube-like cells.
The tracheary elements are made up of both of them.
Vessels and Tracheids are also highly specialised cells.
When they reach adulthood, they are devoid of protoplast.
The plant is assisted mechanically by Tracheids and vessels.
Although both conifers and ferns contain Xylem based on the Tracheid, important distinctions in Xylem architecture have a significant impact on the overall structure of both plants, as well as the physical considerations that dictate the shape and size of the Xylem conduits.
FAQs on Tracheids
1. What is the difference between Xylem and Tracheids?
Plants' Xylem is a complicated tissue that transports water and other nutrients to the plants. The Xylem of plants is a complex tissue that delivers water and other nutrients to the roots of the plants. Only minerals and water are transported from the roots through the Xylem. Food materials created by the green sections of the plant are transported through phloem to other areas of the plant. At maturity, the Xylem is dead tissue with no cell contents. The living tissue, but not the nucleus, is phloem. Tracheids exist with vascular systems (Pteridophytes and gymnosperms) while only angiosperms have Xylem. The effectiveness of the Tracheids is because they lack holes, they are less effective at transmitting water. Phloem is more efficient because they are perforated, they are more efficient at conducting water.
2. Why are Tracheids dead cells?
Plants' Xylem is a complex tissue that transports water and other nutrients. It's made up of cells that have died (parenchyma is the only living cell present in the Xylem). Xylem vessels, fibre, and Tracheids are all part of this system. It is found deep within the plant, in the centre of the vascular bundle, and moves in just one direction. At maturity, the Xylem is dead tissue with no cells. Plants with a unifacial cambium or simple primary Xylem strands find this an impossible task. Except for the Xylem parenchyma, all Xylem components are dead. As a result, the Xylem is non-living tissue. At maturity, the Xylem is dead tissue with no cell contents. In plants with a unifacial cambium or simple strands of the main Xylem, this is an impossible task.
3. What is the torus-margo membrane in Tracheids?
The torus controls the bordered pit's functions, while the margo is a porous membrane generated from the cell wall that supports the torus. Comparing the upper light dashed curve for Tracheids modelled to have angiosperm-like homogenous pit membranes with the bottom bold dashed curve for Tracheids with torus-margo membranes demonstrates the relevance of the torus-margo membrane. These Tracheids were identical to those with the native torus-margo membrane except for the pit type.
4. What are ProtoXylem and MetaXylem?
Narrow tracheary components with annular, spiral, or reticular thickenings characterise the earliest Xylem to emerge from the procambium as a protoXylem. The protoXylem of a nascent stem is made up of extracted elements with annular or spiral thickenings, making it capable of stretching or elongation (for stem growth). The stem ceases elongating as it becomes older, and the tracheary parts become increasingly filled in. The last section of the primary Xylem to emerge from the procambium, with weblike or pitted surfaces and larger tracheary pieces than the protoXylem is the metaXylem. In contrast to the protoXylem, the metaXylem possesses few fibres. It's not a stretchable material (unlike protoXylem). It is not, however, stressed or put under any strain.
5. What are Xylem Fibres?
Xylem fibres, also known as xylary fibres, are the third portion of the xylem. They are also dead cells, including tracheids and vessels, and do not contain protoplast at maturity. The secondary cell wall of the cells is very dense and lignified. The primary purpose of this component is to provide mechanical support. Xylary fibres are divided into two types:
Fibre tracheids
Libriform fibres
Fibre tracheids have apical invasive development and are longer than tracheids. The bordered pits on fibre tracheids are less established.
Libriform fibres are extremely specialised. Their walls are adorned with plain pits. Gelatinous fibres are a type of xylem fibre that can be found in tension wood (a reaction wood in Angiosperms). Gelatinous fibres have a cellulosic cell wall instead of lignin in their secondary cell wall. In cross-section, this portion of the cell wall appears gelatinous. Gelatinous fibres are extremely hygroscopic, meaning they can absorb and retain a lot of moisture.
6. How are Xylems Classified?
Xylem is divided into two categories based on its origin-
Primary Xylem: The primary xylem of a plant is produced during its initial development. It is made up of two components, Protoxylem and Metaxylem, and is derived from procambium (a meristem). The protoxylem is the first xylem to develop, and it contains fewer tracheary elements and more parenchyma. During the maturation of the plant, proto-xylem is usually killed. In the vascular bundles, metaxylem is generated or distinguished after protoxylem. More tracheary elements are found in metaxylem than in parenchyma. Metaxylem is a functional xylem component in plants that have not undergone secondary thickening. The secondary replaces certain plants with secondary thickening of the metaxylem.
Secondary Xylem: The xylem produced during the plant's secondary growth is known as secondary xylem. The vascular cambium gives rise to it (a lateral meristem). Conduction of water and minerals in the secondary plant body is the primary feature. They also provide mechanical assistance.
7. What are the Functions of Xylem?
The xylem performs the following functions-
Conduction of water from roots to leaves.
Conduction of minerals and nutrients from roots to leaves.
Provide mechanical assistance.
Tyloses are formed by the ray parenchyma and are used to store ergastic substances.
These ergastic substances are responsible for the wood's distinctive colour and odour.
Tyloses contain ergastic substances that protect the wood from termites and mites.
