The Existence of Transcellular Strands in Mature Sieve Elements

Light microscope observations provide further evidence of transcellularstrands in sieve elements. Specimens were prepared by a newmethod for stripping sieve tubes from phloem tissue after fixationin aldehyde solutions. Straight-sided membranous structuresappear in sieve elements and are interpreted as the boundarymembranes of transcellular strands. Occasionally it is possibleto follow these structures through a sieve plate. The proposal that transcellular strands are artefacts due todiffraction lines is discussed and, in relation to present results,is proved incorrect. In the interference microscope, colourcontrast is demonstrated between a surrounding matrix and thestrands at a sieve plate; since this colour is a function ofdensity and thickness in the specimen, structures which displaya particular colour must be real. Spherical granules, some of which are more refractive than others,and fibrils, which may occur in parallel groups to form fibrillarstrands, are sometimes seen within straight-sided boundaries,but more often these constituents occur in the lumina of sieveelements. Fibrils may spread out to fill the whole of the sieveelement and fan-like arrays of fibrils are seen issuing fromstrands in sieve elements and phloem exudate. Membranous and fibrillar strands are orientated parallel tothe long axis in fixed, unstained sieve elements. Subsequentstaining reveals an additional constituent in the same sieveelements which is like a typical slime plug and is distinguishablefrom strands by a lack of structure and heavier staining. Autoradiographs of phloem exudate show an association betweenthe distribution of mobile carbon-14 and parts of transcellularstrands. Mobile carbon-14 within strands appears to be orientatedin parallel lines but there is no evidence of a particulatedistribution of the isotope. This result suggests the mobilecarbon-14 followed the distribution of the parallel fibrilsand is not associated with plastids or granules. A pattern of displaced contents in sieve elements, which isrepeated in superposed cells, indicates the presence of resistanceto pressure change along intact sieve tubes. Such resistancewould prevent movement of solution in response to a pressuregradient and is consequently incompatible with the mass-flowtheory. This result can be explained if the movement of vacuolarfluid through sieve pores is blocked by cytoplasm which introducesa resistance to pressure change between cells along a sievetube.     

Transmission and differentiation of six viruses infecting hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) in Scotland

Six viruses, code-named HV1-HV6, were transmitted manually and/or by aphids (Cavariella spp. from symptomless wild plants of hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) in Scotland. HV1 was identified as parsnip yellow fleck virus (PYFV); anthriscus yellows virus, on which it depends for transmission by aphids, was presumably also present in the hogweed plants. HV2 was transmitted manually and by aphids and had very flexuous filamentous particles c. 700–750 nm long; it has affinities with the closteroviruses, and the name heracleum latent virus is proposed. HV3, HV4 and HV5 were transmitted manually, HV3 and HV5 also by aphids, but their particle morphology is unknown. HV6 was transmitted only by aphids and has very flexuous particles up to 1400 nm long; it is presumably a closterovirus distinct from HV2. All the viruses infected cultivated umbelliferous species experimentally but only PYFV is known to infect umbelliferous crops.     

The Stimulation of Growth by Low Temperature in Embryos of Heracleum sphondylium L.

Low temperature of 2–5° C. accelerates the rate offormation of amino acids from reserve proteins in the endospermof Heracleum sphondylium. It also brings about the accumulationof glycine and arginine in abundance. Experimental culture ofexcised embryos on synthetic media shows that these acids areparticularly beneficial to embryo growth whilst alanine, thepredominating acid at room temperature, is not. It is suggestedthat the rapid growth following low- temperature treatment resultsfrom the action of low temperature on protein breakdown.     

A set of primers for plastid indels and nuclear microsatellites in the invasive plant Heracleum mantegazzianum (Apiaceae) and their transferability to Heracleum sphondylium

This study reports the isolation and polymorphism characterization of four plastid indels and six nuclear microsatellite loci in the invasive plant Heracleum mantegazzianum. These markers were tested in 27 individuals from two distant H. mantegazzianum populations. Plastid indels revealed the presence of five chlorotypes while five nuclear microsatellite loci rendered polymorphism. Applications of these markers include population genetics and phylogeography of H. mantegazzianum. A very good transferability of markers to Heracleum sphondylium was demonstrated.     

A Reanalysis of Particle Motion in Sieve Tubes of Heracleum

From an analysis of the Brownian motion of particles in sieveelements of Heracleum mantegazzianum and Heracleum sphondylium,Barclay and Johnson have suggested that the in situ viscosityof sieve tube sap is four to six times higher than has previouslybeen assumed. In particular, they obtained a value for the sapviscosity of about 10^–2 Pa s, which compares with a valueof 2 x 10^–3 Pa s for a 20 per cent (w/v) sucrose solution.The present paper describes a reanalysis of their data. It isargued that Barclay & Johnson underestimated the Brownianmotion of sieve element particles and so overestimated the sapviscosity. An exact correction was not possible, but it is concludedthat the in situ viscosity of Heracleum sieve tube sap mustbe less than 3 x 10^–3 Pa s, which corresponds to a sucroseconcentration of less than 29 per cent. Hence it may not beunreasonable to suppose that the viscosity of sieve tube sapis determined primarily by the concentration of sucrose, ashas been assumed in theoretical analyses of the Munch hypothesis.It is also concluded that the sieve tubes studied by Barclayand Johnson were not functional, in the sense that they didnot exhibit an axial bulk flow of sap. Heracleum, sieve tubes, Brownian motion, viscosity, Munch hypothesis     

Distribution of P-protein in Mature Sieve Elements of Cucurbita maxima Seedlings Subjected to Prolonged Darkness

A study has been made of the structure of the sieve tubes inthe phloem of seedlings of Cucurbita maxima kept in total darknessfor 2 or 3 days. All cytoplasmic components were found to beparietal in their distribution. The parietal system was closelyapplied to the cell membrane and appeared to be supported bya continuous framework of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with whichP-protein was intimately associated. The ER-P-protein complexwas highly compact in some sieve elements and loosened to variousdegrees in others. The pores in the sieve plates were eitherunobstructed or occluded by components of the parietal complexin various ways, occlusion not always being accompanied by noticeabledisruption of the parietal system. In visibly undisturbed sievetubes, in which the ER-P-protein complex was in a highly compactstate, occlusion appeared accidental, arbitrary and withoutany alignment of the components present in the pores. It issuggested that the distribution of the cytoplasmic componentsin the parietal position represents a true-to-life conditionof the sieve tube, preserved due to control of the ‘surge’artefact to which transporting sieve tubes are susceptible.However, the organization of sieve tube probably changes withthe state of transport and the highly compact condition of theER-P-protein complex as well as unobstructed or arbitrarilyobstructed sieve plate pores represent a state of ‘rest’or low transport. Cucurbita maxima, P-protein, sieve elements, phloem, seedlings     

Fine Structure of Sieve Tubes Prepared Mainly for Observation in the Electron Microscope by a Cryogenic Method

Using a cryogenic method of fixation, electron microscopic evidencewas obtained of structures in the sieve element lumina and sieveplate pores of Cucurbita pepo which can be interpreted as constituentsof the transcellular strands repeatedly seen in the light microscope.In longitudinal sections these appeared as more or less hollowtubes with clearly defined filamentous walls which showed someorganized substructure. Transverse and oblique sections revealedcircular or elliptical profiles of boundaries surrounding largelyempty central areas. Owing to the still inadequate preservationof specimens, the centres of the strands contained only sparsecytoplasmic material with an occasional indication of fibrilsin parallel arrangement. Improvement of fixation techniques,with rapid freezing as the preferential method, is seen as themain task in any effort to preserve the in vivo state of thesestructures.     

Induced Disruption of Sieve Element Plastids in Heracleum mantegazzianum L.

Sieve element plastids of Heracleum mantegazzianum L. were disruptedin fresh tissue by treatment with iodine. Their breakdown andthe consequent release of starch grains into the sieve elementlumen was recorded by cin?micrography. We discuss how plastidsburst to release the particles so frequently seen in sieve tubesunder the light microscope.     

Epidermal features of Heracleum mantegazzianum Somm. & Lev., H. sphondylium L. and their hybrid

Leaf surfaces of the native Heracleum sphondylium, the alien Heracleum mantegazzianum and the interspecific hybrid were examined using SEM and light microscopy. The surfaces differed in hairiness, especially in the length of the hairs, although the hairs did not differ in general form, or distribution on the leaf surface. Stomata differed little in length, width or frequency, but there were differences in the sort of stomata in relation to the surrounding epidermal cells. The hybrid material was intermediate between the parental species, and sometimes displayed aberrant trichomes that were contorted in contiguous pairs. The results are discussed in relation to other work on the epidermal features of the Umbelliferae: as a means of discriminating the three taxa, and in relation to the ecological distributions of the species.     

On flower visitors and true pollinators: The case of protandrous Heracleum sphondylium L. (Apiaceae)

Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium L.), a common European umbellifer, is very variable in terms of flower and inflorescence morphology. Its flowers are visited by numerous insects, yet little is known about the importance of the particular insect taxa. I observed umbels of two colour morphs (subspecies) of Heracleum sphondylium growing in NE Poland, which were visited by more than 108 insect species during two study seasons. Analysis of the insects' importance suggests that the most efficient pollinators are the medium-sized flies Eriozona syrphoides, and Lucilia spp. (Diptera). Bumblebees Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera), beetles of genus Stenurella spp. and Dasytes spp. (Coleoptera) and flies Eristalis spp., Meliscaeva cinctella, Phaonia angelicae and Thricops nigrifrons also contribute to pollination of the studied plants, but their efficiency shows considerable seasonal variation. Although the dense umbels of the white flowered H. sphondylium subsp. sphondylium are generally more attractive for insect visitors than the loose yellowish inflorescences of H. sphondylium subsp. sibiricum, these taxa do not seem to attract different sets of the pollinators. For both subspecies, flowers in the staminate phase were visited significantly more often than those in the pistillate phase. Some flower visitors visited the staminate phase only, which suggests they may be parasites rather than pollinators.     

A Physiological Study of Embryo Development in Heracleum sphondylium L: II. The Effect of Temperature on After-ripening

The action of low temperature in the after-ripening of seedsof Heracleum sphondylium is to make available the endospermreserves, without which the embryo is starved at room temperature.There is no development of 'secondary dormancy' in the embryo,since the effect of low temperature in after-ripening is strictlyadditive, and the total length of low-temperature treatmentrequired for germination is in no way influenced by periodsat room temperature before or during after-ripening.     

P PROTEIN IN THE PHLOEM OF CUCURBITA : II. The P Protein of Mature Sieve Elements

During maturation of sieve elements in Cucurbita maxima Duchesne, the P-protein bodies (slime bodies) usually disperse in the tonoplast-free cell. In some sieve elements the P-protein bodies fail to disperse. The occurrence of dispersal or nondispersal of P-protein bodies can be related to the position of the sieve elements in the stem or petiole. In the sieve elements within the vascular bundle the bodies normally disperse; in the extrafascicular sieve elements the bodies often fail to disperse. Extrafascicular sieve elements showing partial dispersal also occur. The appearance of the sieve plate in fixed material is related to the degree of dispersal or nondispersal of the P-protein bodies. In sieve elements in which complete dispersal occurs the sieve plate usually has a substantial deposit of callose, and the sieve-plate pores are filled with P protein. In sieve elements containing nondispersing P-protein bodies the sieve plate bears little or no callose, and its pores usually are essentially "open." The dispersed P-protein components may aggregate into loosely organized "strands," which sometimes extend vertically through the cell and continue through the sieve-plate pores; but they may be oriented otherwise in the cell, even transversely.     

红环瓢虫触角感器的扫描电镜观察

利用扫描电镜对红环瓢虫Rodolia limbata Motschulsky成虫与幼虫的触角形态及化学感受器进行了观察,结果表明,红环瓢虫成虫的触角为棒状,由柄节、梗节和6个鞭节组成。其上发现有毛形、刺形和锥形3种感器,各种感器长短不一,分布不同,其中锥形感器集中分布于鞭节的4~6亚节,以末节端部最为密集;幼虫触角短,圆锥状,分为3节,感器只有毛形和锥形2种,且数量极少。雌雄成虫与幼虫个体间触角感器的类型、分布均无明显差异。     

A Physiological Study of Embryo Development in Heracleum sphondylium L.: III. The Effect of Temperature on Metabolism

Low temperature brings about the conversion of storage proteinsinto soluble nitrogenous compounds in the eeed of Heracleumsphondylium. The possible mechanism of this action and its importancein relation to the phenomenon of after-ripening are discussed.     

东方沙蟒显微皮纹结构与功能

对隶属蟒科的东方沙蟒唇鳞的光学显微结构和扫描电镜下的超微结构的观察发现了类似小窝的结构,可能是原始的鳞片感受器官;对鳞片感受器的大小做了测量;同时观察了头部其他鳞片和身体中部背鳞和腹鳞的显微皮纹结构。所有鳞片的角皮层细胞平坦,没有大的表面特征结构,除了后缘齿状结构、微孔和窄而短的边界。考虑到穴居种类减少反光不是主要的选择因子,而主要选择是减少摩擦和清除污物,显微皮纹特征很好地符合这一假说。不同部位鳞片的差异主要表现在角皮层细胞的形状和的大小,微孔的有无,细胞后缘齿状结构的有无和大小以及细胞边界重叠的程度。首次描述了鹅卵石样多孔细胞这一微饰类型。     

A Physiological Study of Embryo Development in Heracleum sphondylium L.: I. The Effect of Temperature on Embryo Development

Growth of embryos within the seed of Heracleum sphondylium proceedsmore rapidly at low temperature than at room temperature. At2° growth is exponential and in 9 weeks the size is increased4 times and the dry weight 25 times. At 15° there is a progressivefalling off in the rate of growth, and growth ceases when bothsize and dry weight have been only doubled.     

Actin Filaments in Mature Guard Cells Are Radially Distributed and Involved in Stomatal Movement

Stomatal movements, which regulate gas exchange in plants, involve pronounced changes in the shape and volume of the guard cell. To test whether the changes are regulated by actin filaments, we visualized microfilaments in mature guard cells and examined the effects of actin antagonists on stomatal movements. Immunolocalization on fixed cells and microinjection of fluorescein isothiocyanate-phalloidin into living guard cells of Commelina communis L. showed that cortical microfilaments were radially distributed, fanning out from the stomatal pore site, resembling the known pattern of microtubules. Treatment of epidermal peels with phalloidin prior to stabilizing microfilaments with m-maleimidobenzoyl N-hydroxysuccimimide caused dense packing of radial microfilaments and an accumulation of actin around many organelles. Both stomatal closing induced by abscisic acid and opening under light were inhibited. Treatment of guard cells with cytochalasin D abolished the radial pattern of microfilaments; generated sparse, poorly oriented arrays; and caused partial opening of dark-closed stomata. These results suggest that microfilaments participate in stomatal aperture regulation.     

On the Protein Inclusions in Sieve Elements of Sterculia urens

Protein inclusions in the sieve tubes of Sterculia urens havebeen examined by light microscopy. Conspicuous inclusions wereobserved in both primary and secondary phloem of young branches,but not in the main stem, where smaller inconspicuous spheroidswere found. It is suggested that spheroidal protein inclusionsmay have previously gone unnoticed in other plants. phloem, evolution of phloem, sieve element, sieve element inclusion