What is the Difference Between Sporopollenin and Cuticle?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Sporopollenin and cuticle are two different types of hydrophobic barriers found in plants, serving distinct functions and composed of different materials:
Sporopollenin:
- Found on the surface of spores and pollen grains.
- Synthesized by lipophilic globules in tapetal cells.
- Composed of long-chain fatty acids, phenylpropanoids, phenolics, and traces of carotenoids within a random copolymer.
- Functions as a protective shield against harsh environmental conditions for spores and pollen grains.
Cuticle:
- Present on the aerial parts of a plant, covering the epidermis.
- Synthesized by epidermal cells.
- Composed of cutin and a variety of organic solvent-soluble lipids.
- Functions as a protective layer for the plant, minimizing water loss and providing a barrier against environmental stresses.
In summary, sporopollenin is a lipid and phenolic-based polymer found in the tough outer walls of plant spores, while the cuticle is a continuous lipophilic polymer coating the aerial surfaces of land plants.
Comparative Table: Sporopollenin vs Cuticle
Here is a table comparing the differences between sporopollenin and cuticle:
Feature | Sporopollenin | Cuticle |
---|---|---|
Description | A lipid and phenolic based polymer found in the tough outer walls of plant spores and pollen grains | A continuous lipophilic polymer coating the aerial surfaces of land plants |
Composition | Composed of long-chain fatty acids, phenylpropanoids, phenolics, and traces of carotenoids within a random copolymer | Composed of cutin interspersed with a variety of waxes |
Chemical Nature | Lipid and phenolic based polymer | Continuous lipophilic layer |
Secretion | Secreted by tapetal cells | Secreted by epidermal cells |
Location | Found on the surface of spores and pollen grains | Covers the epidermis of all aerial parts of a plant |
Function | Provides protection against harsh environments for pollen and spores | Minimizes water loss and provides protection for plant aerial parts |
Sporopollenin is a lipid and phenolic based polymer that provides a hard outer exterior to pollen and spores, protecting them from harsh environments. In contrast, the cuticle is a continuous lipophilic layer that covers the aerial parts of a plant, serving as a protective layer and minimizing water loss.
- Pollen vs Spore
- Microspore vs Pollen Grain
- Conidiophore vs Sporangiophore
- Spore vs Endospore
- Spore vs Seed
- Sporophyte vs Gametophyte
- Zoospore vs Conidia
- Sporangia vs Gametangia
- Sporogony vs Schizogony
- Homospory vs Heterospory
- Trichome vs Filament
- Arthrospores vs Chlamydospore
- Chitin vs Cellulose
- Zoospore vs Zygospore
- Spore vs Vegetative Cell
- Sporogenesis vs Gametogenesis
- Vegetative Propagation vs Spore Formation
- Cyst vs Spore
- Uredospore vs Teliospore