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Which small molecules can move between plant cells through plasmodesmata?
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Cell wall
Cutaway drawing of a plant cell, showing the cell wall and internal organelles.
Plasmodesmata are microscopic cytoplasmic channels that traverse the cell wall to facilitate direct communication between adjacent plant cells.12
These channels allow for the movement of various small molecules, specifically:
- Salts2
- Sugars2
- Amino acids2
The passage of these molecules is thought to be regulated by the constriction or dilation of the openings at each end of the channel, which are lined with cell membrane.12