Parenchymal cells are particularly abundant in the roots of plants and trees.
There are many different types of cells in plants, but parenchymal cells are by far the most abundant. Parenchymal cells are one of the least specialized types of cells found in plants and are the progenitor of all cell types within plants. In other words, all types of cells start as undifferentiated parenchymal cells the same way that all cells start as stem cells in the human body. Does this Spark an idea?
Role
Parenchymal cells are responsible for almost all metabolic processes within plants such as photosynthesis, respiration and digestion. In addition, parenchymal cells also make up the horizontal rays found in wood, according to the University of California Berkeley. Unlike other types of plant cells, parenchymal cells retain the ability to divide throughout their entire adult lives. This makes them extremely important for wound healing and vegetative regeneration in plants. For example, parenchymal cells make it possible for roots to grow from stem cuttings. Under the proper conditions, parenchymal cells found in roots can even grow into entirely new plants, according to the University of Wisconsin. Parenchymal cells also help move solutions and water throughout the body of plants.
Characteristics
Parenchymal cells typically have thin cell walls and are shaped like small bubbles with a large central vacuole. In addition, parenchymal cells have extremely flexible and thin cell walls. Without a thin cell wall, transportation of light energy, gases and other materials would be extremely difficult.
Types
The four types of parenchymal tissues in plants are chlorenchyma, aerenchyma, endodermis and storage parenchyma. Chlorenchyma cells contain chloroplasts, are found in leaves and help plants carry out photosynthesis. Aerenchyma cells have large intracellular spaces and help with gas exchange. Endodermis cells help transport materials into vascular materials mainly in roots, but also in some stems and leaves. Storage parenchyma cells have large quantities of storage products like water, protein, starch and hemicellulose, according to the University of Illinois Chicago.
Fun Facts
When parenchymal cells are not struck by light, their main function is food storage. As a result, all the cells found within white potatoes are parenchymal cells. Sometimes the soft parts of fruits are also composed of parenchymal cells. Parenchymal cells are commonly found in aquatic plants that need flotation for their leaves. The large empty vacuoles in parenchymal cells help leaves maintain their buoyancy. This flotation helps leaves come into more contact with sunlight, which increases photosynthesis and energy production.
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