Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

“Transfer cells” Plant cells with wall ingrowths, specialized in relation to short distance transport of solutes—Their occurrence, structure, and development

  • Published:
Protoplasma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Plant cells possessing ingrowths of wall material, and hence having protoplasts with unusually high surface-to-volume ratios, may be found in a wide variety of anatomical situations and in most of the major taxa of multicellular plants. They are termed here “transfer cells”. Their function relates to any of four categories of trans membrane flux: 1. Absorption of solutes from the external environment (e.g. epidermis of submerged leaves), 2. Secretion of solutes to the external environment (e.g. nectaries and other glands), 3. Absorption of solutes from an internal, extracytoplasmic compartment (e.g. vascular parenchyma, haustorial-type connections, embryo sacs and embryos), 4. Secretion of solutes into an internal extracytoplasmic compartment (e.g. tapetum of anther, pericycle of root nodule). An overall assessment of their occurrence, structure, development and role in the plant is presented taking account of published information and new observations.

The wall ingrowths form just as intensive transport starts; they become best developed on those faces of the cell presumed to be most active in solute transport and their form, frequency and final degree of development are within limits characteristic of the plant species and of the location of its transfer cells. Numerous mitochondria and a conspicuous endoplasmic reticulum usually accompany this wall specialization, and the relevance of these features to the exchange of solutes across the plasma membrane is discussed.

Transfer cells are apparently restricted to situations where adverse surface area—volume relationships exist between donor and receptor compartments of the transport pathway and/or where the transported solutes are accompanied by a minimal flow of solvent. This suggests that selection pressures of a physiological nature may have shaped evolution of the transfer cell, its wall-membrane apparatus emerging as a module which may serve in any of several forms of intensive, short distance transport.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bachofen, R., undH. Wanner, 1962: Transport und Verteilung von markierten Assimilaten. Planta (Berl.)58, 225–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belcher, J. H., 1968: The fine structure ofFurcilla stigmatophora (Skuja) Korshikov. Ark. Mikrobiol.60, 84–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biddulph, O., andR. Cory, 1965: Translocation of14C metabolites in the phloem of the bean plant. Plant Physiol.40, 119–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briarty, L. G., 1967: Cytological and biochemical changes in the maturing and germinating seeds ofVicia faba L. University of Liverpool: Thesis.

  • Brown, R. M., Jr., andR. Wilson, 1968: Electron microscopy of the lichenPhyscia aipolia (Ehrh.) Nyl. J. Phycol.4, 230–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlquist, S., 1956: On the occurrence of intercellular pectic warts inCompositae. Amer. J. Bot.43, 425–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clutter, M. E., andI. M. Sussex, 1968: Ultrastructural development of bean embryo cells containing polytene chromosomes. J. Cell Biol.39, 26 a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diboll, A. G., 1968 a: Histochemistry and fine structure of the pollen tube residue in the megagametophyte ofZea mays. Caryologia21, 91–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1968 b: Fine structural development of the megagametophyte ofZea mays following fertilisation. Amer. J. Bot.55, 787–806.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, andD. A. Larson, 1966: An electron microscopic study of the mature megagametophyte inZea mays. Amer. J. Bot.53, 391–402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dörr, I., 1967: Zum Feinbau der „Hyphen“ vonCuscuta odorata und ihrem Anschlu\ an die Siebröhren ihrer Wirtspflanzen. Naturwissenschaften54, 474–475.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1968 a: Zur Lokalisierung von Zellkontakten zwischenCuscuta odorata und verschiedenen höheren Wirtspflanzen. Protoplasma65, 435–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1968 b: Feinbau der Kontakte zwischenCuscuta-Hyphen und den Siebröhren ihrer Wirtspflanzen. Vortr. Ges. Geb. Bot. N. F.2, 24–26. Stuttgart: Gustav Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dycus, A. M., andL. Knudson, 1957: The role of the velamen of the aerial roots of orchids. Bot. Gaz.119, 78–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eymé, J., etC. Suire, 1967: Au sujet de l'infrastructure des cellules de la région placentaire deMnium cuspidatum Hedw. (Mousse Bryale acrocarpe). C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris)265, 1788–1791.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falk, H., undP. Sitte, 1963: Zellfeinbau bei Plasmolyse. 1. Der Feinbau derElodea-Blattzellen. Protoplasma57, 290–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Figier, J., 1968: Localisation infrastructurale de la phosphomonoestérase acide dans la stipule deVicia faba L. au niveau du nectaire. Planta (Berl.)83, 60–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goebel, K., 1922: Erdwurzeln mit Velamen. Flora (Jena)115, 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govier, R. N., J. G. S. Brown, andJ. S. Pate, 1968: Hemiparasitic nutrition in Angiosperms II. Root haustoria and leaf glands ofOdontites verna (Bell.) Dum. and their relevance to the abstraction of solutes from the host. New Phytol.67, 963–972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunning, B. E. S., J. S. Pate, andL. G. Briarty, 1968: Specialised “Transfer Cells” in minor veins of leaves and their possible significance in phloem translocation. J. Cell Biol.37, C7–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • — — —, 1969: Cells with wall ingrowths (Trasfer Cells) in the placenta of ferns. Planta (Berl.)87, 271–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guttenberg, H. v., 1968: Der primÄre Bau der Angiospermenwurzel. Encyclopedia of Plant Anatomy8 (5), 1–472. Berlin: Borntraeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haberlandt, G., 1914: Physiological plant anatomy. 4th Ed. (trans.). London: Macmillan and Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Israel, H. W., andY. Sagawa, 1964: Post-pollination ovule development inDendrobium orchids II. Fine structure of the nucellar and archesporial phases. Caryologia17, 301–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacob, F., undS. Neumann, 1968: Studien anCuscuta reflexa Roxb. I. Zur Funktion der Haustorien bei der Aufnahme von Saccharose. Flora (Jena)159, 191–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, W. A., 1963: Cell development during plant embryogenesis. Brookhaven Symp. in Biol.16, 179–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1965: The ultrastructure and histochemistry of the synergids of cotton. Amer. J. Bot.52, 238–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, C., 1969: Wall projections in the sporophyte and gametophyte ofSphaerocarpos. J. Cell Biol.41, 910–914.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiesselbach, T. A., 1949: The structure and reproduction of corn. Agr. Exp. Sta. Univ. Nebraska Coll. Agr. Res. Bull.161, 1–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Küster, E., 1956: Die Pflanzenzelle. 3. Aufl. Jena: Gustav Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ledbetter, M. C., andK. R. Porter, 1963: A “microtubule” in plant cell fine structure. J. Cell Biol.19, 239–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leitgeb, H., 1864: /:Uber kugelförmige Zellverdickungen in der Wurzelhülle einiger Orchideen. S.B. Akad. Wiss. Wien, math.-nat. Klasse, Bd.49, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lüttge, U., 1966: Funktion und Struktur pflanzlicher Drüsen. Naturwissenschaften53, 96–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maier, K., 1967: Wandlabyrinthe im Sporophyten vonPolytrichum. Planta (Berl.)77, 108–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marquardt, H., O. M. Barth undU. von Rahden, 1968: Zytophotometrische und elektronenmikroskopische Beobachtungen über die Tapetumzellen in den Antheren vonPaeonia tenuifolia. Protoplasma65, 407–421.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, F., 1915: Hydropoten an Wasser- und Sumpfpflanzen. Beih. bot. Zbl.32, 278–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meinecke, E. P., 1894: BeitrÄge zur Anatomie der Luftwurzeln der Orchideen. Flora (Jena)78, 133–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pate, J. S., 1968: Physiological aspects of inorganic and intermediate nitrogen metabolism. Symp. Long Ashton, Bristol, p. 219–240. London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, andB. E. S. Gunning, 1969: Vascular transfer cells in Angiosperm leaves — a taxonomic and morphological survey. Protoplasma68, 135–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • — —, andL. G. Briarty, 1969: Ultrastructure and functioning of the transport system of the leguminous root nodule. Planta (Berl.)85, 11–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, andT. P. O'Brien, 1968: Microautoradiographic study of the incorporation of labelled amino acids into insoluble compounds of the shoot of a higher plant. Planta (Berl.)78, 60–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peel, A. J., 1962: The movement of ions from the xylem solution into the sieve tubes of willow. J. exp. Bot.14, 438–447.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1967: Demonstration of solute movement from the extra-cambial tissues into the xylem stream in willow. J. exp. Bot.18, 600–606.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peveling, E., 1968: OberflÄchenvergrö\erung des Plasmalemmas in symbiotisch lebenden Pilzen. Naturwissenschaften55, 451–452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickett-Heaps, J. D., 1966: Ultrastructure and differentiation inChara sp. I. Vegetative cells. Aust. J. biol. Sci.20, 539–551.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1967 a: The effects of colchicine on the ultrastructure of dividing plant cells, xylem wall differentiation and distribution of cytoplasmic microtubules. Devl. Biol.15, 206–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1967 b: Ultrastructure and differentiation inChara sp. III. Formation of the antheridium. Aust. J. biol. Sci.21, 255–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Preston, R. D., andR. N. Goodman, 1968: Structural aspects of cellulose microfibril biosynthesis. J. R. microsc. Soc.88, 513–528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renaudin, S., 1966: Sur les glandes deLathraea clandestina L. Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr.113, 379–385.

    Google Scholar 

  • Revel, J. P., andM. J. Karnovsky, 1967: Hexagonal array of subunits in intercellular junctions of the mouse heart and liver. J. Cell Biol.33, C7–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth, T. F., andK. R. Porter, 1964: Yolk protein uptake in the oocyte of the mosquitoAedes aegypti L. J. Cell Biol.20, 313–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scala, J., D. Schwab, andE. Simmons, 1968: The fine structure of the digestive gland of Venus' flytrap. Amer. J. Bot.55, 649–657.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnepf, E., 1960: Zur Feinstruktur der Drüsen vonDrosophyllum lusitanicum. Planta (Berl.)54, 641–674.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1961: Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Beobachtungen an Insektivoren-Drüsen über die Sekretion des Fangschleimes. Flora (Jena)151, 73–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1964 a: Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an Septalnektarien. Protoplasma58, 137–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1964 b: über Zellwandstrukturen bei den Köpfchendrüsen der SchuppenblÄtter vonLathraea clandestina L. Planta (Berl.)60, 473–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1965 a: Physiologie und Morphologie sekretorischer Pflanzenzellen. In: Sekretion und Exkretion. Funktionelle und Morphologische Organisation der Zelle2, 72–88. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1965 b: Die Morphologie der Sekretion in pflanzlichen Drüsen. Ber. dtsch. bot. Ges.78, 478–483.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, R., andW. A. Jensen, 1968 a:Capsella embryogenesis: the synergids before and after fertilization. Amer. J. Bot.55, 541–552.

    Google Scholar 

  • — —, 1968 b:Capsella embryogenesis: the egg, zygote, and young embryo. Amer. J. Bot.55, 807–819.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimony, C., andA. Fahn, 1968: Light- and electron-microscopical studies on the structure of salt glands ofTamarix aphylla L. J. Linn. Soc. (Bot.)60, 283–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sitte, P., 1963: Zellfeinbau bei Plasmolyse II. Der Feinbau der Elodea-Blattzellen bei Zucker- und Ionenplasmolyse. Protoplasma57, 304–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steward, F. C., andJ. F. Sutcliffe, 1959: Plants in relation to inorganic solutes. Pp. 253–478 in Plant Physiology Vol. II. Ed.F. C. Steward. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, W. W., andL. Liu, 1967: Ultrastructural features of the salt gland ofTamarix aphylla L. Planta (Berl.)73, 201–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Underbrink, A. G., undL. V. Olah, 1968: Effect of digitonin on cellular division. Part III. Fine structural aspects of early phragmoplast development in the absence of an organized mitotic spindle. Cytologia33, 155–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uphof, J. C. Th., andK. Hummel, 1962: Plant hairs. Encyclopedia of plant anatomy4 (5), 1–292. Berlin: Borntraeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Pluijm, J. E., 1964: An electron microscopic investigation of the filiform apparatus in the embryo sac ofTorenia fournieri. P. 6–16. In: Pollen physiology and fertilization. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Went, J., undH. F. Linskens, 1967: Die Entwicklung des sogenannten „Fadenapparates“ im Embryosack vonPetunia hybrida. Genet. Breeding Res.37, 51–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vazart, J., 1968: Infrastructure de l'ovule du lin,Linum usitatissimum L. Le complexe antipodial. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris)266, 211–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vazart, B., andJ. Vazart, 1966: Infrastructure du sac embryonnaire du lin (Linum usitatissimum L.). Rev. Cytol. Biol. Végétales24, 251–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vögel, A., 1960: Zur Feinstruktur der Drüsen vonPinguicula. Beih. Z. schweiz. Forstverw.30, 113–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wark, M. C., 1965: Fine structure of the phloem ofPisum sativum II. The companion cell and phloem parenchyma. Aust. J. biol. Sci.13, 185–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weigl, J., undU. Lüttge, 1965: Die Ionenaufnahme durch die Luftwurzel vonEpidendrum. Protoplasma60, 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wooding, F. B. P., 1969: Absorptive cells in protoxylem: association between mitochondria and the plasmalemma. Planta (Berl.)84, 235–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, andD. H. Northcote, 1965: An anomalous wall thickening and its possible role in the uptake of stem-fed tritiated glucose byPinus pinea. J. Ultrastruct. Res.12, 463–472.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wrischer, M., 1962: Elektronenmikroskopische Beobachtungen an extrafloralen Nektarien vonVicia faba L. Acta. Botanica Croatica21, 75–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziegler, H., 1965: Die Physiologie pflanzlicher Drüsen. Ber. dtsch. bot. Ges.78, 466–477.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, undU. Lüttge, 1966: Die Salzdrüsen vonLimonium vulgare. I. Die Feinstruktur. Planta (Berl.)70, 193–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • — —, 1967: Die Salzdrüsen vonLimonium vulgare. II. Mitteilung über die Lokalisierung des Chlorids. Planta (Berl.)74, 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. B. E. S. Gunning

    Present address: Department of Botany, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland

    J. S. Pate

Authors
  1. B. E. S. Gunning
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. S. Pate
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gunning, B.E.S., Pate, J.S. “Transfer cells” Plant cells with wall ingrowths, specialized in relation to short distance transport of solutes—Their occurrence, structure, and development. Protoplasma 68, 107–133 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01247900

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01247900

Keywords

Search

Navigation