Plant Differentiation and Development

What is Plant Differentiation?

Plant differentiation occurs when the cells of the root and shoot apical meristem mature to form specialized cells which perform specific functions. During this process, the plant cell goes through several structural changes. For instance, the cell wall will become strong and elastic to transport water and minerals under extreme conditions.

You can also call it a process by which the cells separate from their parent cell and become different from each other. Each of these cells performs some essential functions in plants.

There are two types of plant differentiation. Let’s take a look at each of them.

• Dedifferentiation

This is a process in which the cells that have lost their capacity to divide regain it under specific circumstances. The formation of meristems from fully differentiated parenchymal cells is an example of this process. In humans, however, dedifferentiation leads to the formation of tumor cells. In plants, formation of interfascicular cambium.

• Redifferentiation

Redifferentiation is when the cells divide and produce new cells, which then lose their dividing capacity. However, these mature cells perform specific functions crucial for the plant’s growth and development. Example-secondary phloem,secondary xylem etc.

Advantages of Plant Differentiation

Cell differentiation has a couple of advantages. Let’s take a look at them.

• The efficiency of the cell increases and it can perform its functions better
• It also conserves energy since each cell has its specific function
• It leads to the growth of the plant

Influence of Hormones in the Differentiation Process

Hormones like auxin control several processes of differentiation. It helps the parenchyma cells to regenerate the damaged vascular tissue.

Development Process in Plants 

Plants grow and develop throughout their lifespan. Plant development involves all the processes a plant goes through during its lifespan. It begins with the germination of the seed and ends with senescence. 

The process of pollination and fertilisation precedes the germination of the seed. Two types of pollination- self-pollination and cross-pollination.

Differentiate Between Self Pollination and Cross-Pollination

The following chart will differentiate between self and cross-pollination.

Self Pollination	Cross-Pollination
It takes place within the same flower or between two flowers of the same plant	This process takes place between two flowers on two different plants.
It transfers pollen grains from the male part (anther) to the female part (stigma) of the same flower or a flower in the same plant.	It involves the transfer of pollen grains from the male part (anther) of one flower to the female part (stigma) of another flower on a different plant.
It takes place in genetically identical flowers.	It takes place in genetically different flowers.
It leads to homogenous conditions in progenies.	It leads to heterozygous conditions in progenies
It increases genetic uniformity and decreases variation.	It increases genetic variation and decreases genetic uniformity.
In this process, the anther and stigma mature simultaneously.	In cross-pollination, the anther and stigma mature at different times.
It transfers a small amount of pollen.	It transfers a lot of pollen.
Self-pollination can happen even when the flowers are closed.	It takes place only when the flowers are open.
There is no need for any pollinators to transfer the pollen grains.	Pollinators like wind and organisms are required to transfer the pollen grains.
This process reduces the gene pool.	In this process, the gene pool is maintained.

The development of male gametophytes is crucial for pollination to occur. It contains the pollen grains that fertilise the egg in the female gametophyte. That will lead to the embryo’s formation.

Here are the processes involved in the development of plants.

• Cell division
• Elongation of cells
• Differentiation
• Maturation

Cell division occurs in the meristematic tissues, which might lead to cell elongation and expansion. After that, the cells undergo differentiation and mature. These mature cells go through senescence or aging. The aged cells ultimately die. Thus, this is how the process of development in plants looks like.

Factors Controlling Plant Development 

Various intrinsic and extrinsic factors control the process of development in plants. The intrinsic factors include genetic and chemical factors. And the extrinsic factors include light, temperature, oxygen, water and nutrients.

Different Types of Plant Growth

There can be several types of plant growth. Let’s take a look at each of them.

• Primary and Secondary growth- Primary growth is the increase in the length of the plant. Due to the mitotic cell division in the root and shoots apex, it occurs. In comparison, secondary growth involves the increase in diameter of the plant body due to the secondary meristem

• Unlimited growth-  The roots and shoot system of the plant undergoes continuous growth from germination to death. This process is called unlimited growth or indeterminate type of growth. This growth starts right after the pollen fertilises the egg in the female gametophyte

• Limited growth- This process can be seen in the plant’s leaves, fruits and flowers. They stop growing after attaining a specific size. That’s why it is called limited or determinate growth

• Vegetative growth –  This is an earlier growth stage and involves the leaves, shoots and roots

• Reproductive growth- This phase comes after the phase of vegetative growth. The plants produce flowers that help in reproduction. The flowers contain the male and female gametophytes. The male gametophyte contains pollen grains that fertilize the egg and form seeds and fruits

Conclusion

Differentiation of cells is a vital stage in the development of plants. It helps the cells to mature so that they can perform several advanced functions. Differentiation and growth together lead to the development of plants. We have seen the general processes of growth and development in plants. However, certain specific plants might have their processes and requirements.