How do trichomes work

There are many misconceptions about modern marijuana and even more when it comes to the anatomy of the cannabis plant. This is actually not the case. Cannabinoid content will depend on a variety of factors such as genetics, environment, stressors, nutrition, and the overall skill of the grower. Trichomes are the reason for cultivating cannabis since the resin inside is the source of cannabinoids.

Concentrates are the product of extracting that resin from the trichomes and separating it from the rest of the plant matter. These little guys are what started it all, so take a closer look at your cannabis next time you visit the dispensary. And as always, please consume responsibly. Topics: trichomes. The Dispensary Join the Team Apparel. What's Clovr? Where's Clovr? What's Happening at Clovr. What are trichomes? Bulbous trichomes - These are the smallest of the three.

They consist of a few cells, are 15 - 30 micrometers and are only visible through a microscope. Like the glandular trichomes, non-glandular trichomes also exist as either unicellular or multicellular. However, they can also exist as either branched or un-branched. A majority of these have been shown to be branched, simple and shaped like a star.

As for the un-branched non-glandular trichomes, they can exist as uniseriate, biseriate or multiseriate. They also vary in shape, size and length and can be found in a variety of plants.

Different types of non-glandular trichomes can be found in different locations of a single plant. For instance, whole some of these can be found on the leaf of the plant unicellular non-glandular trichomes on Coridothymus capitatus two-celled trichomes can be located at the base of abaxial side of the leaf.

The following are examples of non-glandular trichomes:. There different types of trichomes that serve different functions for plants.

There functions are largely dependent on the type of trichome as well as their location on the plant. While the function of some trichomes remains unknown, we will look at some of the known functions of trichomes. Like animals, plants have also evolved over time. This has seen plants developing a range of mechanism for protection. This enhances the life span of the plant and ensures their survival. Trichomes are some of the means through which some plants protect themselves from animals, extreme environmental conditions and thus enhancing their chances of survival.

For instance, the trichomes glandular that develop in cannabis plants secrete a bitter substance and a strong aroma that prevents some animals from eating it. In particular, some glandular hairs tend to secrete lipophilic substances that prevent animals from consuming the leaves of the plant. Apart from chemicals that wade off animals and pathogens, some trichomes secrete a type of mucilage that serves to trap insects when they come in contact with the plant leaves.

This substance also helps prevent excessive water loss from the leaves as well as protecting the plant from excessive moisture. The non-glandular trichomes develop to form a thick and dense surface around the leaves which serves to protect leaves and the plant in general from harsh environmental conditions as well as protection from pathogens.

With some plants such as Tragia cannabina stinging hairs develop to protect the plant from herbivores. When an animal comes in contact with the hair, they break off and penetrate the body of the animal causing irritations. Absorption of Water and Moisture. Non-glandular trichomes can also be found in the roots of the plant as hair-like structures where they support the absorption of water and other minerals required by the plant.

These trichomes are more likely to exist as tubular structures that grow outwards to absorb water and minerals from the soil. However, they are very small with a thin cell wall, and thus can not last long. Once they die, they become lignified and are unable to absorb water and minerals any longer.

However, new ones continue to form. In some of the plants such as apples and sorghum the unicellular hairs can secrete mucilaginous droplets, which ensures that the plant does not dry out. Therefore, ensuring that the plant can survive for longer. Some of the other functions of trichomes include:. Also referred to as cannabis, marijuana is a plant that contains a mind altering substance. Epidermal cell fate determination in Arabidopsis : patterns defined by a steroid-inducible regulator.

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The composition of surface wax on trichomes of Arabidopsis thaliana differs from wax on other epidermal cells. The Plant J. Evaluation of wild tomato accessions Solanum spp. Crop Ev. Zhao Q, Chen XY. Development: a new function of plant trichomes. Nat Plants. PubMed Google Scholar. The tomato odorless-2 mutant is defective in trichome-based production of diverse specialized metabolites and broad-spectrum resistance to insect herbivores.

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Sci Rep. Biochem Bioph Res Co. Plant Cell. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. EMBO J. A single amino acid substitution in IIIf subfamily of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor AtMYC1 leads to trichome and root hair patterning defects by abolishing its interaction with partner proteins in Arabidopsis. J Biol Chem. The Arabidopsis MYB5 transcription factor regulates mucilage synthesis, seed coat development, and trichome morphogenesis.

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CPR5 is involved in cell proliferation and cell death control and encodes a novel transmembrane protein. Morohashi K, Grotewold E. A systems approach reveals regulatory circuitry for Arabidopsis trichome initiation by the GL3 and GL1 selectors. PLoS Genet. Heterologous myb genes distinct from GL1 enhance trichome production when overexpressed in Nicotiana tabacum.

Promoter of a cotton fibre MYB gene functional in trichomes of Arabidopsis and glandular trichomes of tobacco. Cotton AnnGh3 encoding an annexin protein is preferentially expressed in fibers and promotes initiation and elongation of leaf trichomes in transgenic Arabidopsis. The TTG gene is required to specify epidermal cell fate and cell patterning in the Arabidopsis root. Dev Biol. Plant Cell Physiol. Natural variation in GL1and its effects on trichome density in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Mol Ecol. Progress in the molecular genetic analysis of trichome initiation and morphogenesis in Arabidopsis. Trends Plant Sci. Meinhardt H, Gierer A. Applications of a theory of biological pattern formation based on lateral inhibition. Trichomes can run the gamut in structure, appearance, and texture.

Some trichomes are frail, some coarse; some are branched like tree limbs, others star-shaped; some are long and straight, others are short and curly. Just as mammal hair serves various protective purposes , including insulation and camouflage , so do trichomes. Trichomes can be insulating by keeping frost away from leaf cells.

They can help reduce evaporation by protecting the plant from wind and heat. In many cases, trichomes protect plants from herbivorous insects that may want to feed on them.