Fibre in plant cells refers to specialized, elongated cells that provide structural support and strength.
Characteristics of Plant Fibres
Plant fibres are distinguished by several key features, based on the provided reference:
- Elongated Shape: Fibres are slender cells, many times longer than they are wide. This extended shape contributes to their tensile strength.
- Lignified Walls: They possess highly lignified cell walls. Lignin is a complex polymer that adds rigidity and strength to the cell wall. This makes them very strong.
- Tapering End Walls: Fibres have tapering or oblique end walls which overlap with adjacent cells for greater support.
- Thick Side Walls: The side walls of fibres are often extremely thick. This thickening can lead to a very small or completely occluded central cavity (lumen).
- Structural Support: Due to their characteristics, plant fibres play a significant role in providing structural integrity to plant tissues and organs.
Why are Plant Fibres Important?
Plant fibres are essential for the following reasons:
- Support: They provide mechanical support, enabling plants to maintain their upright structure and withstand external forces like wind and gravity.
- Strength: The high degree of lignification and thick cell walls make fibres incredibly strong, allowing plants to bear weight.
- Flexibility: While rigid, fibres also contribute to some degree of flexibility, allowing plants to bend without breaking.
- Natural Resource: Fibres are also a vital resource for humans, used in various applications, including textiles, paper, and ropes.
Examples of Plant Fibres
Common examples of plant fibres include:
- Flax: Used to make linen fabric.
- Hemp: Used in textiles, ropes, and paper.
- Cotton: Used in clothing and other textiles.
- Jute: Used in burlap, rope, and bags.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Shape | Slender, elongated, many times longer than wide |
| Cell Walls | Highly lignified, often very thick, sometimes occluding the lumen |
| End Walls | Tapering or oblique |
| Function | Structural support, tensile strength, rigidity and flexibility to plant organs. |
| Examples | Flax, Hemp, Cotton, Jute |
