An Unusual Cytoplasmic Component in Euphorbia peplus L. Endosperm

The coenocytic endosperm of Euphorbia peplus contains a complexsystem of flat, tightly-stacked membrane saccules which havea sinuous profile and a smooth or smooth-rough surface. Theyare joined by membrane-to-membrane links. The usual ergastoplasmiccisternae are an integral component of this system which canessentially be regarded as a sui generis from of endoplasmicreticulum.Copyright 1995, 1999 Academic Press Euphorbia peplus, TEM, ultrastructure, endosperm, endoplasmic reticulum, cell organelles     

Cell reabsorption in the Euphorbia dulcis endosperm

Euphorbia dulcis endosperm is the site of controlled long lasting endocellular lysis involving segregation and autophagy of portions of the cytoplasm within the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The lysis products may constitute a food source for the benefit of the early developing embryo.     

ULTRASTRUCTURAL COMPARISION OF POLLEN GRAINS FROM 2n, 3n,AND 4n PLANTS OF EUPHORBIA DULCIS

Pollen development in plants with different ploidy levels of Euphorbia dulcis is similar but some ultrastructural differences do occur. In pollen of diploid plants large aggregations of rough endoplasmic reticulum [RER] are attached to the pollen wall near the young generative cell but such aggregations are not present in other karyotypes. Plastids are detected only in young generative cells of triploid plants. In diploid plants the generative cell becomes spindle-shaped, in triploid and tetraploid plants it remains round during the movement from the pollen wall to the center of the vegetative cell. The intine surrounding the generative cell in 3n plants is thinner than that found in 2n and 4n plants. Pollen grains in tetraploid plants are twice as large as those in diploid plants. Pollen viability is 90% in 2n plants, but only 10% in 4n plants.     

Structure, Composition and Physiological State of the Endosperm of Phoenix dactylifera L

The date endosperm consists of living cells with the same generalcellular structure throughout the seed. The major storage products,as shown by histochemical staining, are lipid, stored as numeroussmall lipid bodies which fill the cytoplasm, and protein, aslarge but variably-sized protein bodies. Nuclei are presentbut lack large amounts of heterochromatin. Plastids and mitochondriaare present but infrequently seen and have poorly developedinternal membranes. No endoplasmic reticulum or dictyosomesare present before or after hydration. The cell wall is thickexcept in areas of pit fields and consists of three layers whichdiffer in their staining behaviour: middle lamella, thickenedwall and inner wall. Both the endosperm and embryo of the imbibedseed undergo aerobic respiration, but the embryo respires ata more rapid rate than does the endosperm. A small area of theendosperm around the distal pole of the cotyledon shows histochemicallydetectable levels of succinic dehydrogenase. Phoenix dactylifera L, date palm, endosperm, ultrastructure, histochemistry, respiration, succinic dehydrogenase     

Development of the Almond Nut (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb). Anatomy and Chemical Composition of Fruit Parts from Anthesis to Maturity

The growth of the fruit of two varieties of almond (Prunus dulcis(Mill.) D. A. Webb) was studid from anthesis (week 0) to maturity(week 32). The dimensions, fresh weight, moisture content, anatomyand chemical composition of the pericarp, testa, embryo, endospermand nucellus are recorded diagrarnmatically, graphically andby micrographs for one variety. Of the two ovules present atflowering only one normally developed further. By 12 weeks afterflowering the whole fruit had reached full size. The space encloscdby the pericarp was filled by nuallus until weck 10, with subsequentenlargement of both endosperm and embryo. From week 16 to week20 the embryo increased to full size with a concumnt decreasein the size of the endosperm. Sixteen weeks after flowering,the embryo began to accumulate protein and lipid, little ofwhich originated from either the nucellus or endosperm. Theembryo contained no starch or reducing sugar but up to 3% sucrosein the early stags which dtcreascd as lipid and protein increased.Starch and sucrose levels were high in the testa at week 16but subsbquently dropped, starch more rapidly than sucrose.The role of the testa in transport of metabolites to the embryois discussed. Prunus dulcis, almond, fruit development, anatomy, embryo, endosperm     

Mobilization of Reserves and Synthesis of Sterols and Triterpenes in Seedlings of Two Canarian Euphorbia Species

Seedlings from Euphorbia canariensis and Euphorbia lambii weregrown in the dark at 25 °C. Protein and triglyceride contentas well as levels of sugars and amino acids in the endospermwere determined during endosperm depletion. In the endospermof Euphorbia canariensis, relatively low levels of amino acids(up to 1 µmol.endosperm^–1) were found of which glutamine/glutamateaccounted for 40% at the stage of radicle emergence. High levelsof amino acids (up to 4 µmol.endosperm^–1) comparedwith sugars (up to 2 µmol sucrose.endosperm^–1) weredetected in the endosperm of Euphorbia lambii. Arginine wasthe main component (28 µmol%) of the amino acids in thistissue. In both species amino acid composition changed graduallyduring endosperm depletion. Cotyledons retained their ability to absorb a variety of watersoluble substrates after removal of the endosperm. ¹⁴C from[U-¹⁴C]sucrose was effectively incorporated into the triterpenesof the laticifers and to a lesser extent into the sterols ofthe seedling. The highest incorporation values were found inyoung seedlings about 2 d after the emergence of the radicle.Seedlings of this age also showed high incorporation rates of¹⁴C from labelled alanine, serine, threonine, valine, leucineand isoleucine into both triterpenols and sterols, but no generalconclusions about metabolic channelling in lipid synthesis couldbe made. Endosperm, Euphorbia canariensis L. Euphorbia lambii Svent., sterols, triterpenols, amino acids, laticifer, biosynthesis     

Changes in Cell Number and Cell Division Activity during Endosperm Development in Allohexaploid Wheat, Triticum aestivum L.

Nuclear or cell number, and the mitotic index, were recordedin endosperms of Triticum aestivum cv. Mardler to test if aparticular stage of endosperm development was critical in determiningthe final grain weight. The basal four florets of emasculatedspikelets (controls), and the third and fourth florets of spikeletswhere the two basal ovaries were removed (ovary-removed), weresampled at various times up to 360 h after hand-pollination.The coenocytic phase in endosperms ended about 84 h after pollinationregardless of both grain position and the treatment. The onsetof the cellular stage was characterized by the final large fluctuationsin the mitotic index reflecting the culmination of the synchronousnuclear division of the coenocytic stage. Thereafter, the mitoticindex fluctuated with smaller amplitudes and, by 216 h afterpollination, was < 1%. Neither floret position in the spikeletnor the treatment affected the pattern of alteration to themitotic index. However, ovary removal from first and secondflorets resulted in significantly heavier grains and higherendosperm cell number in the 3rd and 4th florets compared withthe controls. In all florets, mean endosperm cell number peakedat 280 h but decreased by 360 h after pollination. At this time,the mean cell numbers in endosperms of the 3rd and 4th floretsof ovary-removed spikelets were significantly higher than inthe corresponding endosperms in the controls. Thus, a key contributoryfactor in determining the final endosperm cell number may bethe number of cells which are lost during the late period ofthe cellular stage of endosperm development. Key words: Endosperm cell number, florets, grain weight, mitotic index, Triticum aestivum     

CHANGES IN THE CARBOHYDRATES, PROTEINS AND NUCLEIC ACIDS DURING SEED DEVELOPMENT IN OPIUM POPPY

This investigation is concerned with the major changes in thelevels of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and some enzymesin the ovules of Papaver somniferum at various stages of seeddevelopment. Of the soluble sugars, fructose and glucose arepresent in large amounts up to the free nuclear stage of theendosperm but decrease rapidly when the latter turns cellular;then sucrose becomes most abundant. At this time the concentrationof insoluble carbohydrates is almost one-seventh that of solubleand the activities of - and ß-amylases are at theirhighest. The nitrogen in the seed is accumulated in two phases,the first coinciding with the development of endosperm and thesecond with the development of embryo. Cell wall formation inthe coenocytic endosperm is accompanied with a marked decreasein the soluble nitrogen. The activity of glutamic-alanine transaminaseincreases concurrently with the increase of protein in the ovules.The maximal RNA content is attained after the ovules have completedtheir increase in size but prior to the deposition of proteinaceousreserves in the endosperm. The amount of DNA increases withthe growth of endosperm but decreases during the maturationof embryo. Both ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease show twopH optima corresponding to pH 5.5 and 7.5 (ribonuclease) and5.0 and 7.5 (deoxyribonuclease). Their activities seem to becorrelated to the levels of nucleic acids. ¹ Present address: AEC Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan StateUniversity, East Lansing, Mich., U.S.A.     

Distribution and Organization of Non-articulated Laticifers in Mature Tissues of Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.)

The distribution and cytological organization of non-articulatedbranched laticifers in the mature root, stem, and leaf tissuesof poinsettia. Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd., were studied bythe use of optical and electron microscopy. The laticifers occurin all parts of the plant body, being well represented in certainparenchymatous tissues and the phloem. The mature region ofthe laticifer has a living protoplast showing a thin parietalcytoplasm, bounded by plasmalemma and a tonoplast, which enclosesa large continuous central vacuole containing the milky latexfluid. The protoplast is multinucleate and possesses large amyloplasts,each enclosing a single elongated starch grain. Sparseness andpoor differentiation of the other components of the protoplast,mostly mitochondria, ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulum, suggestlow metabolism in the mature region of the laticifer. The latexof the central vacuole is dominated by spherical particles,0.3–1 µm in diameter, each with a dense matrix andan eccentric core of lighter staining material. In some laticifersthe latex particles fuse into coagulated masses. Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd, poinsettia, laticifers, ultrastructure, cytology     

The Early Development of Embryo and Endosperm of Paeonia lactifiora

The present paper reports the early development of embryo and endosperm of Paeonia lactiflora. The main conclusions are as follows: 1 The zygote nucleus divides directly to form a coenocytic proembryo with different number of free nuclei. The result confirms the conclusion of Yakovlev[6] as well as Yakovlev and Yoffe[7] On the occurnce of coenocytic proembryo in Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. (P. moutan Sims), P. albiflora Pall. (P. lactiflora Pall), P. officinalis L., P. tenuifolia L., P. anomala L., P. veitchii Lynch (P. beresowskii Komarov), P. wittmanniana, also it agrees with the report of Cave et al.[4] on the occurence of the coenocytie proembryo in Paeonia californica and P. brownii. From the result of our investigation, there is no basis to support Murgai's conclusion obtained in certain species of Paeonia, i.e., the first division of zygote nucleus is accompanied by wall formation and the coenocyte is a suspensor. The primary endosperm nucleus of P. lactiflora divides often earlier than zygote nucleus, or almost at the same time or later in a few cases; 2 Both mitosis and amitosis occur in the free nuclei in the coenocytic proembryo, and mitosis is dominant. In the later stage of development the amitosis occurs at the micropylar region of the coenocytic proembryo, in the free nuclear endosperm at the chalazal region and the appressed part of the chalazal end of the coenocytic proembryo. In addition, in the region of conenocytic proembryo and endosperm polyploid nuclei, irregular nuclei are also frequently met with; 3 Cell wall formation in the coenocyte and the endosperm initiates by means of both cell plate and freely growthing walls, but in the coenocyte wall formation is earlier than in the free nuclear endosperm. At first, wall formation of the coenocytic proembryo begins at the chalazal end, and then extends toward the micropylar region, and in endosperm it begins at the part appressed to the part of the chalazal end of coenocytic proembryo, and then extends toward the chalazal end. We support Cave’s suggestion of the parallel evolution for Paeonia possessed the coenocytic proembryo has no relation to the coenocytic proembryo of the gymnosperms. Further we consider the evolution tendency of the coenocytic proembryo of Paeonia toward a functional specialization.     

芍药胚和胚乳早期发育的研究

本文报道芍药(Paeonia lactiflora)的胚和胚乳的早期发育,主要结论是:1,开花后4—20天,合子核反复分裂形成多核原胚。2.原胚及胚乳游离核分裂均以有丝分裂为主,晚期有无丝分裂和多倍体核;3,细胞壁形成可由纺锤丝间和自由壁两种方式进行。原胚壁形成由合点端向珠孔端进行,胚乳则由胚附近向合点端发展。我们支持 Cave 等基于多核原胚提出的 Paeonia 与裸子植物平行演化的意见,同时认为 Paeonia 的多核原胚演化趋势是原胚由珠孔端至合点端功能分区的特化。     

GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND RESPIRATION IN THE OVULES OF ZEPHYRANTHES LANCASTERI AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF MATURATION

Changes in the rate of respiration and activity of succinicdehydrogenase in the ovules, embryo and endosperm have beeninvestigated at different stages of seed development in Z. lancasteri.An attempt has been made to find any possible relation betweenphysiological changes and the growth pattern of ovule. The fertilizedovules mature into seeds in 16–19 days from the time ofpollination. The respiratory course and the growth of ovulesfollow identical trends. The curve for oxygen uptake is characterizedby at least two peaks; the first on the sixth or seventh dayis related to the laying down of walls in the coenocytic micropylarchamber of the endosperm and the second on the 11th day precedesthe elongation of cotyledon. In excised endosperm the activityof succinic dehydrogenase is highest during its transformationfrom freenuclear to cellular state, while in the embryo it isso after the attainment of mature size. ¹Present address: AEC Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan StateUniversity, East Lansing, Mich., U.S.A.     

The Developing Endosperm of Wheat -- A Stereological Analysis

A stereological analysis of light and electron micrographs ofwheat endosperm during grain formation and development providesinformation on a range of parameters of cell structure. Thecell volume increases approximately ten-fold; mitochondrialnumber per cell increases but the individual mitochondrial volumedecreases, the overall volume fraction of the cell occupiedby mitochondria remaining fairly constant. Amyloplast divisionstops before cell division, resulting in the distribution ofpreviously-formed plastids; there are differences in starchgranule growth rate in different cell layers of the endosperm.The rough endoplasmic reticulum increases four-fold in areaper cell and its surface-to-volume ratio increases just priorto protein deposition. Triticum aestivum, L., wheat, endosperm, seed development, starch, stereology     

ENDOSPERM STRUCTURE AND STORAGE RESERVE HISTOCHEMISTRY IN THE PALM,WASHINGTONIA FILIFERA

The endosperm of Washingtonia filifera consists of living cells with the same general cellular structure throughout the seed. The major storage reserves are carbohydrate, stored in the form of thickened walls; lipid, stored as numerous small lipid bodies which fill the cytoplasm; and protein, stored as large, but variably-sized, protein bodies. The protein bodies contain two types of inclusions: prismatically-shaped denser protein crystalloids and small crystalline deposits presumed to be phytic acid. The X-ray microanalysis shows these crystalline inclusions do contain P, Ca, Mg, and Fe. Protein bodies are positively stained with PAS. Nuclei are present in all cells, but stain very palely. Plastids and mitochondria are present, but infrequently seen. The plastids have few, poorly developed membranes. Endoplsasmic reticulum and dictyosomes are lacking. The cell wall is thick except in areas of pit fields and consists of three layers which differ in their staining with toluidine blue and in their ultrastructural characteristics: middle lamella, thickened outer wall, and thin inner wall. All wall layers are positively stained with PAS and calcofluor. Although general structural features of the endosperm in Washingtonia filifera are similar to those in date seeds, the composition of the wall polysaccharides and protein bodies appear to differ somewhat.     

Sieve-Element Ontogeny in the Aerial Shoot of Equisetum hyemale L.

The aerial shoots of Equisetum hyemale L. var. affine (Engelm.)A. A. Eat. were examined with the electron microscope as partof a continuing study of sieveelement development in the lowervascular plants. Young E. hyemale sieve elements are distinguishablefrom all other cell types within the vascular system by thepresence of refractive spherules, proteinaceous bodies whichdevelop within dilated portions of the endoplasmic reticulum(ER). Details of cell wall thickening differ between protophloemand metaphloem sieve elements. Following cell wall thickeningthe ER increases in quantity and aggregates into stacks. Shortlythereafter, nuclear degeneration is initiated. During the periodof nuclear degeneration some cytoplasmic components-dictyosomes,microtubules and ribosomes-degenerate and disappear, while organellessuch as mitochondria and plastids persist. The latter undergostructural modifications and become parietal in distribution.Eventually the massive quantities of ER are reduced, leavingthe lumen of the cell clear in appearance. At maturity the plasmalemma-linedsieve element contains a parietal network of tubular ER, aswell as mitochondria, plastids, and refractive sphemh At thistime many of the spherules are discharged into the region ofthe wall. Sieveelement pores occur in both lateral and end walls.At maturity many pores are traversed by large numbers of ERmembranes. The metaphloem sieve elements of the mid-internodalregions apparently are sieve-tube members. The connections betweenmature protophloem sieve elements and pericycle cells are associatedwith massive wall thickenings on the pericyclecell side.     

On the Structure of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Endosperm during Germination

Endosperm cells of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) are characterizedby thick cell walls and dense cytoplasm which contains numerousprotein bodies. Other organelles such as nucleus, mitochondria,plastids and dictyosomes are typical of plant cells. Light andelectron microscopy reveal that before radicle emergence micropylarcells of endosperm tissue undergo drastic protoplast alterations.These alterations seem to be the only structural modificationsbefore rupturing of the tissue since the walls of the endospermcells seem to degrade only after radicle emergence. The differentialbehaviour of the micropylar area of the endosperm before radicleemergence and the observation that the micropylar cells remainmetabolically active long after radicle emergence while therest of the tissue is almost completely disintegrated, suggeststhat the endosperm cells of the micropylar area may have a roleother than being a main reserve site like the rest of the endosperm. Lactuca sativa L., endosperm structure, seed germination, lettuce     

Subcellular distribution of phytin in the endosperm of developing castor bean: a possibility for its synthesis in the cytoplasm prior to deposition within protein bodies

Studies using light and electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis have allowed us to identify phytin particles within the cytoplasm of the developing endosperm of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.). These particles are present at the time of the formation of globoid particles within the protein bodies, but they are absent from mature tissue with fully formed protein bodies. We suggest that phytin is formed initially in the cytoplasm (perhaps in association with the cisternal endoplasmic reticulum) before being transported to the protein bodies, wherein it condenses to form the globoid.Abbreviations AMBB alcoholicmercuric bromophenol blue - ATBO acidic toluidine blue O - CER cisternal endoplasmic reticulum - DAP days after pollination - EDX energy-dispersive X-ray     

Mucilage on the Root Surface and Root Hairs of Sorghum: Heterogeneity in Structure, Manner of Production and Site of Accumulation

Small drops of a mucilaginous character near the tip of roothairs were seen by light microscopy in several species of Sorghumand the Sorghum hybrid Vidan. Electron microscopy revealed thatthe drops are formed from at least two distinct substances,both apparently secreted from the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, a patchy, fibrillar mucilaginous layer, also withat least two components, was found on the cell wall of the roothairs and on the outer wall of ordinary root epidermal cells.Golgi bodies as well as mitochondria take part in its production.As a rule, the mucilaginous patches are colonized by bacteria. Sorghum, root hairs, mucilage     

The Relationship between Embryo and Endosperm in Interspecific Hybrids in PennisetumL. Rich

In the interspecific cross [diploid Pennisetum typhoides X hexaploid(P. typhoides X P. purpureum)] X diploid P. typhoides, embryosand endosperms in the same ovule may respond differently totreatment with the growth substance gibberellic acid, as maydo different genotypes. Size of embryo and size of its endospermare positively correlated in some genotypes but not in others.Large fully developed normal embryos may be associated withnormal, retarded, degenerate or even no endosperm at all. Conversely,large normal endosperms, even in mature seeds, may contain large,small, or no embryos. Fully developed embryos may be viableregardless of whether they had been associated with normal,retarded or degenerate endosperm, or even no endosperm at all. It is concluded that the embryo is not always dependent on theendosperm during its early development and that a degeneratingendosperm need not have a detrimental effect on the developmentof its embryo or on the viability of the latter.     

Development, Histochemistry and Ultrastructure of Gum-resin Ducts in Commiphora mukul Engl.

Gum-resin ducts are present in the primary and secondary phloemof Commiphora mukul Engl. The important gum-resin, known commerciallyas ‘guggul’, is secreted and collected in ductswhich develop schizogenously. The duct initials have dense cytoplasm,large nuclei, increased cytoplasmic RNA and proteins. The lumenof newly-formed ducts widens accompanied by anticlinal divisionsand subsequent tangential elongation of epithelial cells. Histochemicaltests reveal that the epithelial cells have apparently largeamounts of proteins, cytoplasmic RNA, and DNA in the nucleus.Lipid globules are also present in these cells. Epithelial cellwalls in contact with the duct are thin and of a loose fibrillarmesh. Microtubules, randomly oriented in the epithelial cellsare always parallel and adjacent to the wall. The cytoplasmis rich in ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, plastidsand vacuoles containing osmiophilic substances. At the peripheralregion of the duct, electron-transparent bodies containing densely-stainedmaterial are present close to the tangential wall.