What is the Difference Between Phragmoplast and Cell Plate?

The phragmoplast and cell plate are plant cell-specific structures involved in cell division and the formation of new cell walls. The main differences between them are:

1. Structure and Composition: The phragmoplast is a complex arrangement of microtubules, microfilaments, Golgi-derived vesicles, and endoplasmic reticulum that gives rise to the cell plate during cytokinesis. The cell plate is a flattened, disk-shaped membrane-bound structure that serves as the precursor of the new cell wall.
2. Function: The phragmoplast serves as a scaffold for cell plate assembly and subsequent formation of a new cell wall. The cell plate forms the cell wall that separates the two daughter cells.
3. Formation: The phragmoplast is formed during the late stages of cytokinesis and only in Phragmoplastophyta, a clade that includes land plants and some algae. The cell plate is formed from the phragmoplast and is a common structure in terrestrial plants and some algae.
4. Barrel-shaped vs. Flattened and Disk-shaped: The phragmoplast is barrel-shaped, while the cell plate is flattened and disk-shaped.

In summary, the phragmoplast is a complex arrangement of cellular components that serves as a scaffold for the formation of the cell plate, which is a membrane-bound structure that eventually develops into the cell wall separating the daughter cells.

Comparative Table: Phragmoplast vs Cell Plate

The phragmoplast and cell plate are both structures involved in plant cell division, specifically during cytokinesis. Here is a table comparing their differences:

In summary, the phragmoplast is a plant cell-specific structure that gives rise to the cell plate. The phragmoplast serves as a scaffold for cell plate assembly, while the cell plate works as a precursor for the new cell wall that separates the daughter cells during cytokinesis.