Final answer:
Tiny strands of cytoplasm connecting adjacent plant cells are known as plasmodesmata. They are channels that permit material exchange between plant cells, crucial for plant communication and nutrient distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tiny strands of cytoplasm, which extend between adjacent plant cells through minute openings in the cell wall, are called plasmodesmata.
These are essentially channels that allow for the transport of materials, including signal molecules and nutrients, from the cytoplasm of one plant cell directly to the cytoplasm of an adjacent cell.
Plasmodesmata play a crucial role in plant cellular communication and the distribution of resources throughout the plant.
While the plasma membranes of neighboring plant cells are separated by the rigid cell walls, plasmodesmata bridge this gap, making direct cell-to-cell transport possible.
This arrangement is vitally important for the plant's physiology, aiding in the distribution of water, nutrients, and other solutes from the roots up through the stems and into the leaves.