sieve cell: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “sieve cell” mean?
A specialized plant cell in the phloem tissue that transports sugars and nutrients.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specialized plant cell in the phloem tissue that transports sugars and nutrients.
An elongated, living cell in vascular plants that lacks a nucleus at maturity and contains sieve plates (perforated walls) for the movement of sap; a key component of the plant's internal transport system alongside companion cells.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Pronunciation may show minor variation.
Connotations
None. Purely technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both dialects, confined to biological texts.
Grammar
How to Use “sieve cell” in a Sentence
The sieve cell (verb: transports, contains, lacks, is associated with)...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sieve cell” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sieve-cell structure was examined.
American English
- Sieve-cell function is critical for transport.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in university-level botany, plant physiology, and biology textbooks and research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context. Used in detailed descriptions of plant anatomy, horticulture, and forestry science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sieve cell”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sieve cell”
- Misspelling as 'seive cell'. Confusing it with 'sieve tube element' (a similar but distinct cell type in flowering plants). Using it as a general term for any plant cell.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Sieve cells are found in gymnosperms and seedless vascular plants, while sieve tube elements are found in angiosperms (flowering plants). Sieve tube elements are more specialized and form end-to-end sieve tubes.
At functional maturity, sieve cells are living but lack a nucleus and certain organelles. They remain metabolically active with the help of associated companion cells (in angiosperms) or albuminous cells (in gymnosperms).
It refers to the 'sieve plates' or 'sieve areas'—sections of the cell wall that are perforated by pores, allowing cytoplasmic connections and the flow of sap between adjacent cells.
They are located in the phloem tissue, which is part of the plant's vascular system, often found in the inner bark of stems and roots.
A specialized plant cell in the phloem tissue that transports sugars and nutrients.
Sieve cell is usually technical / scientific in register.
Sieve cell: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪv ˌsɛl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪv ˌsɛl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a kitchen SIEVE with holes that lets liquid through; a SIEVE CELL is a plant cell with sieve-like plates that lets sap flow through.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PIPELINE or CONDUIT for plant food; a LIVING STRAINER.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a sieve cell?