Association of the Generative Cell and Vegetative Nucleus in Pollen Tubes of Rhododendron |
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Authors: | KAUL V; THEUNIS C H; PALSER B F; KNOX R B; WILLIAMS E G |
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Institution: | *Plant Cell Biology Research Centre, School of Botany, University of Melbourne Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Department of Plant Cytology and Morphology, Agricultural University Wageningen, The Netherlands
Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA |
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Abstract: | Mixed fluorescence/bright field microscopy of Rhododendron pollentubes in the first 72 h after germination reveals a lens-shapedgenerative cell which divides to give two associated spermswithin the original cell boundary. The generative cell is closelyassociated with the vegetative nucleus which precedes it in92 per cent of pollen tubes. Three-dimensional reconstruction from serial thin sections ofa pollen tube fixed 24 h after germination shows that the associationbetween the generative cell and vegetative nucleus is extremelycomplex. Elongated tails of the generative cell physically enfoldthe vegetative nucleus and penetrate into enclaves within it.The association has been clarified by use of the periodic acid-phosphotungsticacid-chromic acid technique to enhance electron contrast ofthe plasma membranes surrounding the generative cell. In thisbicellular system, the male germ unit association is apparentlyinitiated after pollen maturity but prior to generative celldivision. Pollen tube, generative cell, male germ unit, plasma membrane, vegetative nucleus, Rhododendron, Ericaceae |
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