colleter Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is a colleter?

   • Answer: A colleter is a type of secretory trichome found on plants. It secretes a sticky substance, often a resin or mucilage, that can serve various functions, including protection from herbivores, trapping prey (in carnivorous plants), or aiding in seed dispersal.

2. What is the difference between a colleter and a glandular trichome?

   • Answer: While both are secretory trichomes, colleters are specifically characterized by their sticky, often resinous or mucilaginous secretions, whereas glandular trichomes encompass a broader range of secretions, including oils, nectar, and other substances. Colleters are a subtype of glandular trichomes.

3. What is the chemical composition of colleter secretions?

   • Answer: The chemical composition varies greatly depending on the plant species. Common components include polysaccharides (like mucilages), resins, terpenoids, and various proteins. The exact ratios of these components influence the viscosity and stickiness of the secretion.

4. What is the function of colleters in plant defense?

   • Answer: Colleters' sticky secretions can trap small herbivores like insects, hindering their movement and feeding. The resinous nature of some secretions may also contain toxins or deterrents, further contributing to defense.

5. How do colleters aid in seed dispersal?

   • Answer: In some plants, colleters produce sticky secretions that adhere seeds to animals, facilitating their transport to new locations. The seeds might stick to fur, feathers, or even the bodies of insects.

6. Describe the structure of a colleter.

   • Answer: Colleters are typically multicellular structures consisting of a head (the secretory region) and a stalk. The head contains secretory cells that produce and release the sticky substance. The stalk provides support and connection to the plant tissue.

7. What are some examples of plants with prominent colleters?

   • Answer: Specific examples vary greatly across plant families. Researching specific plant families known for trichomes, such as the Malvaceae or Solanaceae, would reveal many examples. The location and type of colleters are often species-specific.

8. How are colleters formed during plant development?

   • Answer: Colleters develop from specialized epidermal cells. Through cell division and differentiation, these cells form the characteristic head and stalk structures. The exact developmental pathways are complex and vary between species.

9. How do environmental factors affect colleter development and secretion?

   • Answer: Factors like light intensity, temperature, humidity, and nutrient availability can influence the size, density, and secretory activity of colleters. Stressful conditions may lead to altered secretion composition or reduced colleter development.

Thank you for reading our blog post on 'colleter Interview Questions and Answers'.We hope you found it informative and useful.Stay tuned for more insightful content!