Middle Lamella — Calcium Pectate Glue, Plasmodesmata Connect Neighbouring Cells
🔥 Predicted for NEET 2027The middle lamella is a layer mainly of calcium pectate which holds or glues the different neighbouring cells together. The cell wall and middle lamella may be traversed by plasmodesmata which connect the cytoplasm of neighbouring cells.
Adjacent to a frequently-asked paragraph in the same chapter.
Two NEET-relevant facts: (1) Middle lamella = CALCIUM PECTATE — the 'glue' between plant cells. (2) Plasmodesmata = cytoplasmic CONNECTIONS through cell wall + middle lamella → symplastic transport. Plant-cell-only structures (NEET match traps): cell wall, middle lamella, plasmodesmata, plastids. Mesosomes are bacterial (NOT plant). Thylakoids are chloroplast (light-dependent reactions). Ribosomes are universal (70S prokaryote, 80S eukaryote). Memory: calcium pectate = middle lamella; plasmodesmata = plant cell intercellular channels.
The middle lamella is made of cellulose and lies between the primary and secondary cell walls.
Middle lamella is made of CALCIUM PECTATE and is the OUTERMOST layer, BETWEEN two neighbouring cells (not between primary and secondary walls).
Middle lamella = calcium pectate GLUE between cells. Plasmodesmata = cytoplasmic channels through cell walls.
- Middle lamella = CALCIUM PECTATE layer; glues neighbouring plant cells together.
- Plasmodesmata = fine cytoplasmic channels through cell wall + middle lamella → symplastic communication.
- Cell wall layers (outer to inner): MIDDLE LAMELLA → PRIMARY WALL → SECONDARY WALL.
- Removing calcium (e.g., chelators) loosens the middle lamella, causing cells to separate.
Match the following: Column I A. Mesosome B. Chloroplast thylakoid C. Ribosomes D. Middle lamella Column II i. Site of light-dependent reactions ii. Infoldings of plasma membrane helping DNA replication and respiration iii. Holds neighbouring plant cells together iv. Present in prokaryotes (70S) and eukaryotes (80S) for protein synthesis
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: A — A–ii, B–i, C–iv, D–iii
Mesosomes help in respiration/DNA replication, thylakoids carry out light reactions, ribosomes are universal for protein synthesis, and middle lamella glues plant cells together.
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