| Abstract: | A correlated stereological and developmental analysis of thesucculent tissue of Opuntia ficus-indica was carried out. Thestereological parameters related to mucilage cells were describedas a function of their distance from the apical meristem. Polynomesof the second and third degree were found to describe the developmentalprocess. Three zones of development could be distinguished.The relation of the structure of the tissue to its physiologicalfunction and mucilage secretion is discussed. |
