Ultrastructural Responses of Leaf Mesophyll and Trap Wall Cells of Utricularia Vulgaris to Cadmium

Ultrastructure of leaf mesophyll and two-layer trap wall of Utricularia vulgaris L. was studied after 24-h and 48-h treatment with different concentrations of cadmium. The treatment of plants with 0.25 g(Cd²⁺) m⁻³ caused different changes in the chloroplasts of the two organs. The thylakoids swelled in chloroplasts of leaf and the starch content increased in chloroplasts of traps. Higher concentrations of Cd (0.5 and 1.5 g m⁻³) caused osmiophilisation of thylakoids in the chloroplasts of both studied organs. The secretory cells in the trap wall was resistant to Cd. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.