Structure of the Needles in the Early Phases of Development in Pinus ponderosa P. et C. Lawson with Special Reference to Plastids

Before they emerged from the fascicular sheath, the tissuesof young needles of Pinus ponderosa P. et C. Lawson alreadyshowed some characteristics typical of mature needles. The organelles,particularly the plastids, had undergone different development.The plastids in different types of cell varied in their ultrastructureand in association with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A sheathof ER was observed around the amoeboid plastids in epidermalcells, epithelial cells of resin ducts and maturing transfusiontracheids whereas there was no ER sheath around the young mesophyllchloroplasts, the fusiform chloroplasts in some transfusiontracheids and the proplastids in xylem and phloem cells. Thecontent of chlorophyll (a+b) was 0·85 g kg^-1 dry matterand chlorophyll a/b ratio was 2·70. The needles may becomephotosynthetically active whilst still within the fascicularsheaths.Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press Pinus ponderosa, ponderosa pine, needle structure, needle ontogeny, plastids, endoplasmic reticulum     

Ultrastructure of Resin Ducts in Pinus halepensis Development, Possible Sites of Resin Synthesis, and Mode of its Elimination from the Protoplast

Development of the resin duct cavity, sites of resin synthesisin the epithelial cells and elimination of resin from the protoplastwere studied in roots of young Pinus halepensis seedlings. Itis suggested that the Golgi bodies are involved in dissolutionof the middle lamella in the region of the future duct cavityby secretion of lytic enzymes into the cell walls. In earlystages of duct development osmiophilic droplets were observedin plastids, periplastidal and cytoplasmic ER, Golgi vesicles,mitochondria, nuclear envelope and in the cytoplasm. In thelatter they were often observed to be surrounded by a membrane.Electron micrographs suggested that elimination of resin dropletsfrom the protoplast occurs by their becoming surrounded by plasmalemmainvaginations.     

Changes in the Endoplasmic Reticulum During Sieve Element Differentiation in Triticum aestivum

The changes in structure of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) andits associations with other cell components have been studiedin differentiating protophloem sieve elements of root tips ofTriticum aestivum. In the young sieve elements single ER cisternaebearing ribosomes are dispersed in the cytoplasm. As differentiationprogresses ER increases in amount while a small proportion ofit aggregates into stacks or becomes associated with the nuclearenvelope and the mitochondria. These modifications occur inthe last two sieve elements containing ribosomes and coincidewith most dramatic changes in the degenerating nucleus. Stacksconsist of relatively few ER cisternae and may be encounteredfree in the cytoplasm or applied to the nuclear envelope. Electron-densematerial accumulates between the contiguous cisternae of thestacks. ER-attached ribosomes persist even in nearly maturesieve elements, but their pattern of arrangement becomes changed.The structural evidence indicates that only a few highly degradedER elements are retained in fully mature sieve elements. Triticum aestivum, root protophloem, sieve elements, endoplasmic reticulum, differentiation     

The Ligule of Isoetes lacustris: Ultrastructure, Mucilage Composition, and a Possible Pathway of Secretion

Mature ligules of Isoetes lacustris can be divided anatomicallyinto three ultrastructurally different regions. First, the basalregion contains large numbers of two types of protein bodies.Second, the cells of the sub-marginal region are characterizedby a well developed Golgi apparatus closely associated withthe tubular compartments of the endoplasmic reticulum. Third,the peripheral region consists of one to three layers of cellsshowing an extremely well developed rough asternal and smoothtubular endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The tubular ER compartmentsare frequently observed in close attachment to the plasmalemma.The outermost peripheral cells are covered with a mucilaginouslayer. The dry matter in the mucilage consists of 49 per centpolysaccharides and 22 per cent proteins. The polysaccharidefraction, analysed by ion exchange chromato-graphy, consistsmainly of glucose, arabinose, galactose and uronic acids. Theprotein fraction was analysed by SDS gel dectrophoresis andby high performance liquid-chromatographic separation of theamino acids. The analysis shows a protein pattern very similarto that of the peripheral ligule tissue. It is suggested, therefore,that the material of the external mucilage is secreted by theperipheral ligule cells. The secretional mechanism appears tobe a direct release of polysaccharides and proteins by the tubularcomponents of the ER. There is no indication of secretion viathe Golgi apparatus. Because of its high activity in proteinsynthesis and secretion, it is suggested that the ligule isa vestigial structure, which, in extinct genera, might havefunctioned as a digestive organ. Isoetes lacustris, endoplasmic reticulum, ligule, ultrastructure, Polysaccharide secretion, protein secretion     

The Formation of Terpenoids and Their Role in the Metabolism of Pinus halepensis Mill

The results of chemical and ultrastructural research show thatin seedlings of Pinus halepensis growing on vermiculite andwater, nourished by the endosperm, the synthesis of resin proceedsas well in darkness as in light. Starved seedlings, which hadused all the endosperm, were grown without nutrients for tenadditional days in darkness. In these seedlings the quantityof terpenes was greater than in seedlings which were still nourishedby the endosperm. In spite of the long period of starvation,which lowered the density of the cytoplasm and of the numberof the organelles (in epithelial and other cells), the plantsdid not use the terpenoid constituents of the resin as substrates. Pinus halapensis Mill., resin synthesis, terpenoids     

Brefeldin A-induced disassembly of the Golgi apparatus is followed by disruption of the endoplasmic reticulum in plant cells

Brefeldin A (BFA), a fungal fatty acid derivative, is a potentagent for disrupting the Golgi apparatus in plant and animalcells. We have examined its action using marker antibodies whichrecognize an epitope in the plant Golgi apparatus (JIM 84),and for proteins held in the endoplasmic reticulum by the HDELER-retention signal (2E7), in combination with double immunolabelling.In maize root cells, disruption of the ER occurs after breakdownof the Golgi apparatus is initiated. The redistribution of theGolgi is shown to be predominantly separate from that of theER, and as with the Golgi, the action of BFA on the ER is alsoreversible. The mode of action of BFA on the ER and Golgi ofplant cells is compared with that described for animal cells. Key words: Zea mays L, Brefeldin A, plant cells, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus     

Transfer Cells in Roots of Phaseolus coccineus: Ultrastructure and Possible Function in Exclusion of Sodium from the Shoot

A study was made of ultrastructural aspects and ion distributionin roots of Phaseolus coccineus as affected by NaCl and Na₂SO₄salinity. In the proximal region of the root, xylem parenchymacells are differentiated as transfer cells with well developedwall protuberances adjacent to the half-bordered pits of thevessels. The cytoplasm of these transfer cells contains cisternaeof rough endoplasmic reticulum, the number of which was increasedgreatly when the plants were grown in the presence of NaCl orNa₂SO₄. The cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum are oftenassociated closely with the plasmalemma and interconnected withit by fibrillar bridges. Wall protuberances occur also in the exodermis and epidermisof the more apical region of the root. Their function is stillunknown. P. coccineus excludes Na, but not Cl, from the leaves by retainingit particularly in the proximal region of the root. X-ray microanalysisof unfixed, frozen, hydrated specimens revealed that the transfercell-type xylem parenchyma cells in salt-treated roots accumulatedNa relative to both the adjoining xylem vessels and the corticalcells and showed very high Na/K and Na/Cl ratios. It is suggestedthat the xylem parenchyma cells can reabsorb Na from the vessels,probably in exchange for K, and that Na exclusion from the shootis at least partly mediated by this process. The implicationof this for regulation of salt transport in salt sensitive glycophytesis discussed.     

Unseasonable Latewood and Incrusted Pits are the Cause of Drying in Pinus halepensis and P. eldaricaInfested with Matsucoccus josephi

Mendel, Z. and Liphschitz, N. 1988. Unseasonable latewood andincrusted pits are the cause of drying in Pinus halepensis andP.eldarica infested with Matsucoccus josephi.—J. exp. Bot.39: 951–959. A study was made of the effects of Matsucoccus josephi (Insecta:Homoptcra: Margarodidae) on (a) water transport in Pinus halepensis,using a basic fuchsin solution and (b) the structural changesof the xylem of Pinus halepensis, P. brutia andP. eldarica usinga scanning electron microscope.Examinations were carried outin artificially and naturally infested plants. Transport ofthe fuchsin dye was arrested below the affected zone of heavilyinfested shoots, but reached the shoot apex through sparselyinfested segments or via segments heavily infested with thefirst larval stage. Heavily infested stem sections of P. halepensisand P.eldarica were characterized by narrow pits and incrustedpit membranes. In non-infested shoots and those infested withfirst or early second-scale larvae in both these species andheavily infested P. brutia shoots, there were typical earlywoodpits with wide pit apertures and thin membranes. It is suggestedthat blocking of water ascent in P. halepensis and P. eldaricastarts when female second-instar larvae complete their developmentand only when population density is relatively high. Therefore,it is considered that the accelerated drying of the growth ofP. halepensis and P. brutia is directly related to the narrowingof the pit apertures, which resembled those of latewood pitsalthough produced early in the season. The absence of changesin the xylem of heavily infested P brutia may explain why thisspecies tolerates a high density of M. josephi. The structuralmodification of the xylem caused by the scale may be relatedto imbalance in plant growth hormones which are either transmittedwith the insect saliva or formed in the plant by salivary enzymes. Key words: Xylem, Matsucoccus, Pinus     

Endoplasmic Reticulum-dictyosome Involvement in the Origin of Refractive Spherules in Sieve Elements of Davallia fijiensis Hook

Young sieve elements from petioles and rachises of Davalliafijiensis Hook were examined with an electron microscope. Evidencewas obtained that implicated both the endoplasmic reticulum(ER) and the Golgi apparatus in the formation of refractivespherules. Numerous connections were observed between smooth,tubular ER and peripheral tubules of the dictyosomes, indicatingthat these two cytoplasmic components are parts of a singleendomembrane system. Davallia fijiensis Hook, endomembrane system, endoplasmic reticulum, dictyosome, refractive spherule, sieve element     

Ultrastructure of the Resin Ducts of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae). 2. Resin Secretion in the Primary Stem Ducts

The resin of the mango stem consists mainly of terpenes. Theterpenes seem to be produced primarily by plastids, termed heresecretoplasts. At the beginning of the process of secretion,osmiophilic droplets are seen at the envelope of the secretoplastsand at elemints of periplastidal ER. In addition, such dropletsoccur also at Golgi bodies and occasionally in association withmitochondria. Later osmiophilic material fills the well-developbdER, which at this stage is mainly tubular. It appears that theER is involved in the transport of the sareted material towardsthe plasmalemma. Mangifera indica L., mango, Anacardiaceae, resin, resin ducts, secretion, secretoplasts, ultrastructure     

Ultrastructure of Nectaries of Vinca rosea L., Vinca major L. and Citrus sinensis Osbeck cv. Valencia and its Relation to the Mechanism of Nectar Secretion

The ultrastructural changes in nectar-secreting cells of Vincarosea, Vinca major, and Citrus sinensis during their ontogeneticdevelopment are described. The most pronounced changes occurin the amount and morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).The amount of ER elements increases gradually and reaches amaximum at the stage of secretion. At this stage the ER is thedominant element in the cytoplasm. A process of swelling ofa lamellar ER, followed by formation of vesicles, was notedin the secretory cells during the stage of secretion. Many vesicularelements appeared to be in a close association with the plasmalemma.It is suggested that sugar is secreted as a solution by meansof vesicles derived from the ER.     

油松含树脂细胞组织化学和细胞化学研究

油松茎端的皮层薄壁组织和幼茎木薄壁组织中具含树脂细胞分布,在光学显微镜下观察,硫酸奈尔兰染色的切片,发现树脂滴分布于细胞质中,在电子显微镜下观察狐染色切片,发现树脂滴分布于细胞的线粒体,高尔基体,内质网,核膜和小液泡中,同时也分布于质膜两边。从形态演化分析含树脂细胞在树脂分泌结构中属原始类型,由它演化为树脂道。     

Ultrastructure of Aerial Hyphae in Linderina pennispora

Ultrathin sections of the aerial hyphae of Linderina pennispora,fixed in glutaraldehyde, show the wall to be composed of anouter electron-dense layer and an inner less-dense one. Thefully developed septum is plugged by electrondense material.A similar septum exists at the base of the pseudophialide. Cytoplasmiccontinuity on both sides of the septum is maintained by theplasmalemma which passes through the septal pore around theperiphery of the plug. Membrane-lined vesicles may occur inthe wall, between the wall and the plasmalemma and internalto the plasmalemma. Ribosome-like particles are numerous inthe cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum is virtually absent.     

Atmospheric ozone affects carbohydrate allocation and winter hardiness of Pinus halepensis (Mill.)

Fumigation of 2 year-old Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.)trees with episodes of O₃ (up to 120 nl l^– as comparedto 25 nl l^–) throughout two summer seasons produces tallerplants with greater stem diameters but reduced root:shoot ratios.Both light and electron microscopy of current year needles carriedout at mid-summer reveal extensive accumulations of starch,particularly in the endodermis, and crushing of the phloem sievecells. Parallel measurements of starch levels also reveal anon-mobilizable component. All these features probably indicatethat episodes of high summer O₃ detrimentally affect the normalability of Aleppo pines to withstand severe water stress andthis may account for their reduced vitality in Mediterraneanregions. By autumn, however, the amounts of starch are similarto those in low O₃-grown trees and no evidence of the phloemsieve tube crushing remain although plastids do show increasednum bers of plastoglobull. Similar summer high level O₃-fumigatedneedles also show enhanced winter hardiness in the autumn whichis unusual for conifers. Key words: Pinus halepensis, Aleppo pine, amyloplasts, ozone, plastoglobuli, starch     

Viral particles in developing pollen grains of Olea europaea

Double-walled tubules containing rows of isodiametric virus particles were observed in developing pollen grains of Olea europaea L. cultivar Correggiolo. Sometimes the tubules are contained in another double-walled tubular structure or in a tubular endoplasmic reticulum cistern. The viruses are present in the cytoplasm from the microspore mother cell stage up to the microspore stage but just before the first haploid mitosis they are to be found only in the pores, inside the evaginations formed by the plasmalemma. During the last phase of pollen grain development, after the germinative pores are completed, the viruses disappear.Abbreviations ER endoplasmic reticulum     

Polysomes and intracisternal accumulations in enucleate sieve elements of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Polysomes in sieve elements of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were studied with the electron microscope. The polysomes were found on the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) present in immature sieve elements and also on the cisternae of aggregated ER in the parietal layer of mature, enucleate sieve elements. In the immature sieve elements the ER cisternae existed as narrow profiles while in the mature sieve elements the ER cisternae were considerably dilated and contained a fibrillar material and, occasionally, electron-opaque inclusions. In addition to the aggregated ER, single profiles of ER were found applied to the lateral walls and also the sieve plates. These cisternae also bore ribosomes and were separated from the plasmalemma by a narrow, dense space. In the mature sieve elements much of the surface of the ER membranes was covered with polysomes. The dimensions of the polysomes are described and the possibility that they contribute to the formation of the fibrillar material in the intracisternal space is discussed.Abbreviations ER endoplasmic reticulum     

Zostera capensis setchell: III. Some aspects of wall ingrowth development in leaf blade epidermal cells

Summary The development of wall ingrowths in leaf blade epidermal cells of the marine angiospermZostera capensis was studied by electron microscopy. Prior to the appearance of ingrowths long profiles of endoplasmic reticulum cisternae become arranged peripherally closely following the contours of the walls. The plasmalemma assumes a wavy appearance and in regions where wall ingrowths first start forming (i.e., along the radial, inner tangential and transverse walls) the plasmalemma becomes separated from the walls by an undulating extracytoplasmic space. Small, irregular projections of secondary wall material make their appearance here. Paramural bodies, dictyosomes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and possibly also microtubules seem to be closely associated with the initiation and subsequent development of wall projections. As the cells mature, new ingrowths arise in a centrifugal direction along the radial and transverse walls. When wall ingrowths reach a certain stage of their development, mitochondria become strongly polarized towards them and become closely associated with the plasmalemma which ensheaths the ingrowths. There is often also a close association between ER cisternae and the involuted plasmalemma of the wall projections. Initially ingrowths are slender, curved structures, but become more complex as the cells mature. Ingrowths are most extensively developed along the inner tangential and transverse walls. As epidermal cells age there is a loss of wall material from the ingrowths. The probable significance of the formation of wall ingrowths in the epidermal cells is also discussed.     

Comparison of the ultrastructure of conventionally fixed and high pressure frozen/freeze substituted root tips ofNicotiana andArabidopsis

Summary To circumvent the limitations of chemical fixation (CF) and to gain more reliable structural information about higher plant tissues, we have cryofixed root tips ofNicotiana andArabidopsis by high pressure freezing (HPF). Whereas other freezing techniques preserve tissue to a relatively shallow depth, HPF in conjunction with freeze substitution (FS) resulted in excellent preservation of entire root tips. Compared to CF, in tissue prepared by HPF/FS: (1) the plasmalemma and all internal membranes were much smoother and often coated on the cytoplasmic side by a thin layer of stained material, (2) the plasmalemma was appressed to the cell wall, (3) organelle profiles were rounder, (4) the cytoplasmic, mitochondrial, and amyloplast matrices were denser, (5) vacuoles contained electron dense material, (6) microtubules appeared to be more numerous and straighter, with crossbridges observed between them, (7) cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were wider and filled with material, (8) Golgi intercisternal elements were more clearly resolved and were observed between both Golgi vesicles and cisternae, and (9) larger vesicles were associated with Golgi stacks. This study demonstrates that HPF/FS can be used to successfully preserve the ultrastructure of relatively large plant tissues without the use of intracellular cryoprotectants.Abbreviations CF chemical fixation - ER endoplasmic reticulum - FF freeze fracture - FS freeze substitution - HPF high pressure freezing Dedicated to the memory of Professor Oswald Kiermayer     

A Histochemical Study of Nectaries of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Different histochemical and cytochemical methods were employedon nectaries of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Light microscopy revealedthe presence of oil and mucilage cells in the subglandular tissue.Electron microscopy showed intense activity of ATPase in thephloem subtending the nectary. When CaCl₂ or tannic acid areadded to the fixative, electron-dense globular deposits areencountered in close contact with the plasmalemma of the secretorycells. In this case the endoplasmic reticulum appears in alternatingelectron-dense areas. In young nectaries the application oftannic acid results in electron-opaque deposits at the cellplate of dividing cells. The prolonged incubation of nectariesin OsO₄ results in an obvious difference in staining betweennectary hairs and subglandular cells. Structures stained selectivelywith OsO₄ are the endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear envelope, plastids,and mitochondria. The cytochemical experiments support the viewthat in nectaries of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, the pre-nectaroriginates from the phloem and it is symplastically carriedvia the plasmodesmata to the secretory cells of the hair fromwhere it is secreted. The principal element which is involvedboth in the pre-nectar transport and nectar secretion is theendoplasmic reticulum. Key words: Lipid staining, polysaccharides, tannic acid, calcium binding sites, ATPase activity, osmium impregnation     

Morphology and ultrastructure of the gravity-sensitive leaf sheath base of the grass Echinochloa colonum L

When a flowering stalk of Echinochloa colonum is held horizontally, growth is initiated in the lower side of each leaf sheath base, restoring the inflorescence to an upright position. Changes in the gravity vector are perceived by specialised statolithcontaining tissue which is associated with each of the symmetrically-arranged vascular bundles within the leaf sheath bases. The morphological and ultrastructural features of these gravity-sensitive regions have been examined by light and electron microscopy. Each statocyte cell contains a large central vacuole with a thin lining of cytoplasm. Up to 50 spherical starch statoliths lie along the lowermost side of the cells and these sediment readily following geotropic stimulation. Statoliths are found in contact with the plasmalemma, or may be prevented from touching it by bands of microtubules. Dictyosomes and mitochondria are numerous, but endoplasmic reticulum is sparse. The nuclei tend to remain at the original apex of each cell. Statocytes of the leaf sheath base are compared and contrasted with those of the root tip.Abbreviations GMA glycol methacrylate - PAS periodic acid-Schiff's reagent - ER endoplasmic reticulum