Tropical plants with unusual taste properties

A screening program of tropical plants for unusual taste properties gave some leads that suggested the need for further laboratory evaluation and exploration to determine their economic importance. Taste–modifying substances were of interest for applications in some food and pharmaceutical uses. Intensely sweet substances of superior taste quality were sought for applications in dietetic foods. Plants that were selected for further research wereSynsepalum dulcificum Daniell, Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii Diels, andThaumatococcus daniellii Benth.     

八角属花粉形态研究

本文利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对八角属(Illicium L.)14种1变种的花粉形态作了研究。通过花粉形态的研究,验证了在分类上本属所分各组的合理性,讨论了该属花粉形态的演化趋势。     

Free orbicules of Cupressaceae detected in daily aerobiological samples by optical and confocal microscopy

Members of Cupressaceae and Taxaceae are known to release large amounts of highly allergenic pollen grains into the atmosphere, which are responsible for the onset of pollinosis in many countries throughout the world. In addition to pollen grains, their pollen sacs produce orbicules, which are submicron particles reported to carry allergens and which are potentially able to reach much further down the respiratory tract than pollen grains. Previous research has postulated the presence of orbicules in the atmosphere; however, direct observations have not yet been reported. The aim of this research was to provide the first direct evidence that Cupressaceae orbicules are released into the atmosphere by detecting them in daily aerobiological samples. We observed pollen sacs, pollen grains, and orbicules of nine species of Cupressaceae using scanning electron microscope (SEM). We then used a light and confocal microscope, to examine daily aerobiological samples. Under SEM, we measured the orbicule size (0.494–0.777 µm) and detected unknown nanometric particles (130–200 nm). Under the light microscope, aerobiological samples showed clusters of stained dots surrounding the pollen grains of Cupressaceae. Under the confocal microscope, the same clusters were resolved into submicron particles with the same autofluorescence as the pollen grains. These features enabled us to identify them as orbicules. We believe that our findings help to explain the onset of pollinosis and allergic asthma related to Cupressaceae pollen grains in many countries, even before pollen grains are actually detected or after they are no longer observed in aerobiological monitoring samples.     

A radioautographic study of collagen secretion in the dogfish nidamental gland

Optical microscope and ultrastructural autoradiography have been used to localise the sites of collagen secretion in the gland zones, and track its cellular synthesis and mode of cellular secretion. Optical microscope observation has been done after (3)H proline injection into the gland. Untrastructural study has been achieved after applying the incubation method. Optical microscope study has demonstrated that all the gland zones were involved in the secretion of the collageneous protein, though some of them (the D zone and lamellae) secrete more collagen than the others. The ultrastructural study demonstrates that the forms of secretion are numerous: various-looking grains, whose elaboration follows the path of vertebrate collagen produced by fibroblasts, or grains whose only source is rER. The protein periodicity which is observed in the mature capsule (37 nm) is acquired only outside the cells, in the tubular or glandular lumen. It is possible that two types of collagen are secreted by the gland, the first forming the major part of the capsule wall, the other contributing to the plugs sealing the slits of dehiscence.     

我国某些蜜源植物花粉形态研究

本文对我国一些蜜源植物花粉形态特征用光学显微镜作了各种数据测定,并对花粉形态进行了扫描摄片研究。对蜂花粉团成分也作了观察。本项研究为了蜜源花粉的开发和利用提供了有价值的资料。     

Pollen Morphology of Guttiferae in China

The present paper deals with the pollen morphology of 23 species belonging to 6 genera of Guttiferae occurred in China. All pollen grains have been observed under light microscope, and those of 11 species in 5 genera have been examined with SEM as well. The pollen grains of Guttiferae are subspheroidal, spheroidal or prolate, (17–43) × (15–26)μ in size. Mostly 3-eolporate, less frequently 4-colporate or 5-colporate. The exine is 2-layered, but the occassionally demarcation of these layers is generally indistinct. The exine is 0.8–2.6 μ in thickness. The oramentations of all the pollen grains is generlly finely reticulate under the light microscope. Pollen morphology of the 11 species of 5 genera observed under the SEM is stressed. Their exine oramentations may be classified into four major groups, ie. reticulate, finely reticulate, baculate and perforate. Calophyllum: pollen grains reticulate and rugulo-reticulate. Cratoxylon: pollen grains reticulate, with finely and densely granulate over entire muri. Gareinia: pollen grains baculate, reticulate, and exine with perforate oramentation; in reticulate grains, muri with spinulation. Hypericum: pollen grains reticulate, perforate and finely reticulate. Mesua: pollen grains finely reticulate. From the comparison of pollen morphology, Hypericaceae has much connection with Guttiferae (sensu stricto). Because their pollen grains are all 3-eolporate and the exine is reticulate or oerforate under light mieroseope, but it is different between the pollen grains of Hypericum and those of Guttiferae.     

The Pollen Morphology and Exine Ultrastructure of Paeonia L in China

The pollen morphology of 9 species of Paeonia L. has been investigated with both light microscope and scanning electron microscope. In addition, the exine structure of pollen grains of Paeonia suffruticosa and P. lactiflora was examined by transmission electron microscope. Tricolporoidate aperture is an important character of the pollen grains of the Paeonia. The surface of the exine is characterized by reticulate, foveolate and irregularly tuberculate-foveolate sculpture under the SEM. Thin sections of the pollen of this genus shows that the layers of exine are complete i.e. a perforate rectum to semitectum, columellae and foot layers. The endexine is continuous, considerably thickened in the aperture areas and relatively thin or indistinct in the mesocolpia. Paeonia has been placed in Ranunculaceae. But since the beginning of this century many authors have suggested to separating Paeonia from Ranunculaceae. Pollen marphology supports such separation. In Ranunculaceae most pollen grains are tricolpate or have other types of aperture, and exine with spinules and perforations between them. In electron microscopy, the ektexine contains a foot layer, columellae, and perforate rectum, the columellar layer with two types of columellae; the endexine is generally thin. However, the columellar layer of Paeonia has only monomorphic columellae. Some authors considered that there is a close relationship between Paeonia and the Dilleniaceae, but these also differ in the characters of the pollen grains. In Paeonia the constriction of the colpus in equator is in some degree similar to that of Theaceae (Camellia sasanqua Thunb.), Guttiferae (Hypericum L.), Actinidiaceae and Rosaceae. But in the other respects they are quite different. In sum, the pollen morphology of Paeonia is unique. So the palynological information supports Takhtajan's view that Paeonia should be elevated to a family (Paeoniaceae) or order (Paeoniales).     

Identification of a potential artifact in the use of electron microscope autoradiography to localize saturated phospholipids in cells

The suitability of electron microscope autoradiography for sutdying the uptake and intracellular localization of lipid vesicles (liposomes) containing radiolabeled saturated phospholipids has been examined. Data are presented showing that preparation of specimens for electron microscope autoradiography by conventional methods is accompanied by significant translocation and intercellular redistribution of radiolabeled saturated lipids, causing spurious labeling patterns. Intercellular redistribution of radiolabeled lipid was demonstrated by mixing glutaraldehyde-fixed mous L1210 cells that had been incubated with sonicated lipid vesicles containing [H] dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine with an indicator cell population (fixed avian erythrocytes) which had not been exposed to vesicles and showing that after electron microscope processing radiolabeled grains were present in both cell types. The same redistribution artifact also probably affects the intracellular localization of radiolabeled lipids. This artifact is discussed in relation to previous work in which autoradiographic methods have been used for ultrastructural localization saturated phospholipids in cells and tissues.     

The epipsammon; a relatively unknown freshwater algal association

A freshwater diatom flora has been shown to exist on sand grains. The species have been determined from samples of four bodies of water. This epipsammic flora is composed of minute diatoms, many of which require electron microscope study before their identification can be made certain. The chemistry of the water undoubtedly influences the association of species.     

On the Control of the Population Effect on in vitro Assays of Pollen Germination

Assays on pollen of several species have been made in orderto study the distribution of grains in a basal medium for culturein vitro. The hanging drop technique has been chosen for theanalysis. The characteristics of the distribution of pollengrains seen under the microscope on the projected area of thedrop have been described also through the construction and applicationof a physical theoretical model. Both systematic tendenciesand erratic components have been illustrated as well as thederived complex influence of the ‘population effect’upon the germination rate. There are indications regarding acorrect statistical analysis of the results in order to obtainunambiguous comparisons of the effects of different treatmentsapplied to the pollen.     

Identification of a potential artifact in the use of electron microscope autoradiography to localize saturated phospholipids in cells

The suitability of electron microscope autoradiography for studying the uptake and intracellular localization of lipid vesicles (liposomes) containing radiolabeled saturated phospholipids has been examined. Data are presented showing that preparation of specimens for electron microscope autoradiography by conventional methods is accompanied by significant translocation and intercellular redistribution of radiolabeled saturated lipids, causing spurious labeling patterns. Intercellular redistribution of radiolabeled lipid was demonstrated by mixing glutaraldehyde-fixed mouse L1210 cells that had been incubated with sonicated lipid vesicles containing [³H]dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine with an indicator cell population (fixed avian erythrocytes) which had not been exposed to vesicles and showing that after electron microscope processing radiolabeled grains were present in both cell types. The same redistribution artifact also probably affects the intracellular localization of radiolabeled lipids. This artifact is discussed in relation to previous work in which autoradiographic methods have been used for ultrastructural localization of saturated phospholipids in cells and tissues.     

六个不同类型荞麦花花粉粒形态的电镜观察比较研究

对二倍体甜荞长花柱类型 (ES2 s)、二倍体甜荞短花柱类型 (ES2 S)、四倍体甜荞长花柱类型 (ES4s)、四倍体甜荞短花柱类型 (ES4S)、四倍体有翅细野荞 (GR4HI)、四倍体无翅细野荞 (GR4HO)等 6个不同荞麦类型花的花粉形态学进行了电镜观察。结果表明 :这些荞麦类型的花粉粒都是椭圆形 ,都有网状纹饰、3孔沟等特征。二倍体甜荞染色体加倍后形成的四倍体甜荞 ,相对于二倍体甜荞而言 ,花粉粒显著增大和明显变圆。无论二倍体还是四倍体甜荞 ,其长花柱型花的花粉粒都比其对应短花柱型花的花粉粒要小。尽管四倍体甜荞和四倍体细野荞在染色体数目和倍性上一样 ,但是它们在花粉粒的大小上有显著差异。四倍体细野荞有翅类型和无翅类型的花粉粒大小和形态差异不显著     

我国睡莲科花粉形态的研究

本文对我国睡莲科5属11种2变种的花粉形态进行了系统的研究。每种花粉都通过光学显微镜和扫描电镜进行观察和照相。同时对莲和白睡莲二种花粉作了超薄切片,对它们的外型结构进行了透射电镜的观察和照相。并结合有关分类学和孢粉学资料,讨论了本科的原始性、异质性及演化上的问题。     

山茶属的花粉形态及其分类学意义

本文对山茶属(Camellia L.)18个组27个代表种的花粉进行了光学显微镜、扫描电镜和大部分进行了透射电镜的观察,并对花粉大小、形状、外壁纹饰和超微结构等作了综合的比较。结果表明,其形状和大小差异不很明显。花粉壁的层次、厚度和不同层次的比例,如复盖层与柱状层以及外壁外层与外壁内层的比例等也没有显著的差异。但花粉壁的纹饰特征在扫描电镜下显示出较大的差异,具有较重要的分类学价值。根据其纹饰特征,可以把山茶属花粉大致区分为六个类型:皱疣状纹饰;粗瘤状纹饰;颗粒状至皱-颗粒状纹饰;穴-网状纹饰;皱沟状纹饰及皱波-念珠状纹饰。孢粉学上区分的类型不完全与各个学者从植物形态上划分的组相一致。其中管蕊茶 Camellia lanceolata的纹饰非常特殊(粗瘤状),其外壁表面很象牛心果(Annona reticulata)的外形特征,为其重新分类提供孢粉学依据。     

Pollen Morphology of Tundra Shrubs and Submarginal Plants from Barrow, Alaska

Investigation of plant morphological features, pollen, and habitat have been made for two shrub species from Barrow, Alaska, namely Dryas integrifoila M. Vahl and Salix rotundifolia Trautv., both of which are endemic to the Arctic floristic area. The former species has small lanceolate or plate leaves, whereas the latter has rounded leaves with distinct veins, rich in vitamin C. Both have dwarf and sprawling habits. Pollen studies showed that the pollen grains of the two species are spheroidal to sub-spheroidal or prolate. The type of aperture was tricolporate; pollen size 26.3-31.3 μm; ornamentation finely reticulate under a light microscope （LM） and strlate-reticulate under a scanning electron microscope （SEM） for D. integrafoila and finely reticulate under the LM and SEM for S. rotundifolia. Comparisons were made between the pollen from the same species from Arctic collections with those from China and Japan. Investigation of pollen morphology of tundra plants can provide significant data for comparative studies of fossil pollen and for the reconstruction of paleovegetation and paleoclimate in the Barrow area.     

云南松花粉形态研究

在云南松(Pinus yunnanensis Fr.)小孢子发生发育过程中,花粉母细胞、四分孢子及花粉粒均见有粘连现象。花粉气囊的形态、大小变化复杂多样。除一般具两个正常气囊的花粉粒外,还观察到气囊不发育、具一个气囊、二个异形气囊、三个气囊和四个气囊的花粉粒。成熟花粉壁从外至内可分为外壁外层、外壁内层、内壁外层和内壁内层,它们的构成成分及形态均有明显差别。贮存后花粉的内壁结构发生了明显变化。     

中国东北柳属花粉形态及其系统学研究

本研究对中国东北地区产柳属17个组的29种, 6变种, 1变型的花粉进行了光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜观察。结果表明, 同一种的花粉粒形态相对稳定, 花粉粒的萌发孔类型, 表面网状纹饰类型及纹饰的亚显微形态, 及外壁厚度等特征与组的关系较密切, 而在组内各种间趋于一致;种间自然杂交种的花粉粒形态特征, 表现其亲本的中间类型。聚类分析结果表明, 五蕊柳与大白柳组进化关系密切。     

Pollen Morphology of Loxostemon (Cruciferae) in China

The present paper deals with the pollen morphology of 10 species and 1 variety of Loxostemon in China. The pollen grains were all examined under light microscope. The pollen grains of Loxostemon are subspheroidal, spheroidal or prolate, 18--33×11.8-28 μ in size, 3-colpate, colpi 15-21 μ long and 1-2 μ wide. The exine is 1.5-3 μ thick with two indistinct or distinct layers. All the pollen grains are generally reticulate under light microscope. They are distinctly or obscurely and finely reticulate. L. axillus and L. repens are generally similar in gross morphology, but the pollen grains of these two species are different. The pollen grains of L. axillus are regularly polygonally reticulate, colpi are acute-ended and the exine is about 3 μ thick, whereas those of L.repens are irregularly polygonally reticulate, colpi are enlarged at both ends and the exine is about 2.8 μ thick. L. incanus and L. stenolobus appear to have similar gross morphology, but the pollen grains of the former have exines with two distinct layers and a densely and finely reticulate ornamentation and those of the latter have exines with two indistinct layers and a flexuosely reticulate ornamentation.     

马尾树科及其近缘科花粉形态研究

本文观察了马尾树科(Rhoipteleaceae)、胡桃科(Juglandaceae)以及桦木科(Be-tulaceae)、9属9种植物花粉形态。马尾树科与桦木科桦木属(Betula L.)花粉粒均为扁球形,极面观呈钝三角形,萌发孔类型均为多孔类型,孔之间均有弓形加厚,而且外表面均具细颗粒状雕纹。而胡桃科大多为多边形、散孔类型。根据花粉形态资料,探讨了马尾树科的系统位置。     

凤仙花属（Impatiens L.）10种植物花粉形态的扫描电镜观察

利用扫描电镜观察了10种凤仙花属（Impatiens L.）植物的花粉形态。结果表明：本属花粉为单粒花粉,呈长圆形至长矩圆形,大小为20.3～46.7 μm,具角萌发孔,网状纹饰,网眼明显;根据花粉网状纹饰中网眼内是否具颗粒状突起可将其分为2类：（1）网眼内无或近无颗粒状突起,黄金凤（I. siculifer）和婺源凤仙花（I. wuyuanensis）的花粉纹饰属于这一类型;（2）网眼内有明显颗粒状突起,其余8个种的花粉纹饰均属于该类型。研究表明,花粉特征,特别是花粉粒网状纹饰中网眼内有无颗粒状突起及颗粒状突起的形态等特征,在凤仙花属内常具种水平上的可见变异,因而可作为种类划分的依据,它们在分类学上的价值应予以关注。