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Trichome

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**Trichome Types and Functions:**
– Algal trichomes found in filamentous algae and cyanobacteria.
Plant trichomes are epidermal outgrowths like hairs, scales, and peltate hairs.
– Glandular trichomes secrete metabolites for defense and stress response.
– Non-glandular trichomes provide structural protection and UV light absorption.
– Trichomes aid in defense, transpiration reduction, and soil structure maintenance.

**Trichome Development and Regulation:**
– Lateral outgrowths from single epidermal cells form trichomes and root hairs.
– Genetic control mechanisms for trichomes and root hairs are similar.
– Phytohormones like gibberellic acid and cytokinins stimulate trichome formation.
– Core transcription factors regulate initiation and development of trichomes.
– Activation of specific genes controls cell fate for trichome or root hair production.

**Significance in Plant Biology and Taxonomy:**
– Trichomes are crucial for plant identification and taxonomy.
– Used in forensic examinations and fossil identification.
– Trichomes are key diagnostic plant features for classification.
– Arabidopsis trichomes are used as models for cell differentiation.
– Trichomes aid in improving gene editing methods like CRISPR/Cas9.

**Utilization and Studies on Trichomes:**
– Trichomes historically used for trapping bedbugs and in bee nest building.
– Trichomes play a role in defense against herbivores and crop protection.
– Research on trichomes includes CRISPR/Cas9 activity and genetic model systems.
– Studies on trichome structure and function for plant-insect interactions.
– Trichomes inspire biomimetic surfaces and aid in plant defense mechanisms.

**Impact on Plant-Insect Interactions and Defense Mechanisms:**
– Trichomes prevent wasp parasitism and deter herbivores like spider mites.
– Physical defense traits of trichomes are exploited for crop protection.
– Trichomes in Passiflora Lobata deter Heliconius Charithonia and other herbivores.
– Trichomes aid in pattern formation, cell differentiation, and gene editing.
– Studies on trichome structure and function highlight their importance in plant biology.

Trichome (Wikipedia)

Trichomes (/ˈtrkmz, ˈtrɪkmz/; from Ancient Greek τρίχωμα (tríkhōma) 'hair') are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants, algae, lichens, and certain protists. They are of diverse structure and function. Examples are hairs, glandular hairs, scales, and papillae. A covering of any kind of hair on a plant is an indumentum, and the surface bearing them is said to be pubescent.

Flower bud of a Capsicum pubescens plant, with many trichomes
Fossil stellate hair (trichome) probably of an oak, in Baltic amber; image is about 1 mm wide.
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