Elemental Analysis of Phloem Tissue in Lemna Minor Root Tips
Studies (1—4) have shown that it is possible to distinguish different stages of phloem tissue differentiation in the developing roots of Lemna minor by examination in the transmission, scanning, and optical microscopes. A disorganized meristem, immediately behind the root-cap, gives rise to the vascular tissue, which consists of single central xylem element surrounded by a ring of phloem parenchyma cells. This ring of cells is first seen at the 4-5 cell stage, but increases to as many as 11 cells by repeated radial anticlinal divisions. At some point, usually at or shortly after the 8 cell stage, two phloem parenchyma cells located opposite each other on the ring of cells, undergo an unsynchronized, periclinal division to give rise to the sieve element and companion cell. Because of the limited number of cells involved, this developmental sequence offers a relatively simple system in which some of the factors underlying cell division and differentiation may be investigated, including the distribution of diffusible low atomic weight elements within individual cells of the phloem tissue.