The Structure of Normal and High-Lysine Barley Grains

The structure of the starchy endosperm of normal and high-lysinebarleys has been examined by light and scanning electron microscopy.The small granules (1-5 µm) seen using the latter methodhave been demonstrated to be small starch granules rather thanprotein bodies. Certain of the high-lysine mutations (Risø1508, Notch-2, lys 449 and lys 95) cause dramatic shrinkageof the endosperm structure whilst others (Risø 7 and56) cause little change. In particular Risø 1508 causesa decrease in small starch grains whereas those grains presentin Notch-2 are all much smaller than normal. The endosperm oflys 449 shows considerable disruption of the cells.