scholarly journals Epidermal patterning and stomatal development in Gnetales

2019 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula J Rudall ◽  
Callie L Rice

Abstract Background and Aims The gymnosperm order Gnetales, which has contentious phylogenetic affinities, includes three extant genera (Ephedra, Gnetum, Welwitschia) that are morphologically highly divergent and have contrasting ecological preferences: Gnetum occupies mesic tropical habitats, whereas Ephedra and Welwitschia occur in arid environments. Leaves are highly reduced in Ephedra, petiolate with a broad lamina in Gnetum and persistent and strap-like in Welwitschia. We investigate stomatal development and prepatterning stages in Gnetales, to evaluate the substantial differences among the three genera and compare them with other seed plants. Methods Photosynthetic organs of representative species were examined using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Key Results Stomata of all three genera possess lateral subsidiary cells (LSCs). LSCs of Ephedra are perigene cells derived from cell files adjacent to the stomatal meristemoids. In contrast, LSCs of Gnetum and Welwitschia are mesogene cells derived from the stomatal meristemoids; each meristemoid undergoes two mitoses to form a ‘developmental triad’, of which the central cell is the guard mother cell and the lateral pair are LSCs. Epidermal prepatterning in Gnetum undergoes a ‘quartet’ phase, in contrast with the linear development of Welwitschia. Quartet prepatterning in Gnetum resembles that of some angiosperms but they differ in later development. Conclusions Several factors underpin the profound and heritable differences observed among the three genera of Gnetales. Stomatal development in Ephedra differs significantly from that of Gnetum and Welwitschia, more closely resembling that of other extant gymnosperms. Differences in epidermal prepatterning broadly reflect differences in growth habit between the three genera.

Author(s):  
F. Khoury ◽  
L. H. Bolz

The lateral growth habits and non-planar conformations of polyethylene crystals grown from dilute solutions (<0.1% wt./vol.) are known to vary depending on the crystallization temperature.1-3 With the notable exception of a study by Keith2, most previous studies have been limited to crystals grown at <95°C. The trend in the change of the lateral growth habit of the crystals with increasing crystallization temperature (other factors remaining equal, i.e. polymer mol. wt. and concentration, solvent) is illustrated in Fig.l. The lateral growth faces in the lozenge shaped type of crystal (Fig.la) which is formed at lower temperatures are {110}. Crystals formed at higher temperatures exhibit 'truncated' profiles (Figs. lb,c) and are bound laterally by (110) and (200} growth faces. In addition, the shape of the latter crystals is all the more truncated (Fig.lc), and hence all the more elongated parallel to the b-axis, the higher the crystallization temperature.


2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 954-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. A Lott ◽  
Jessica C Liu ◽  
Kelly A Pennell ◽  
Aude Lesage ◽  
M Marcia West

For the first time, iron-rich particles were discovered in embryo-axis tissue from dry seeds of genera in four phyla of seed-producing plants. Iron-rich particles were present in dry seeds of phyla Ginkgophyta (Ginkgo), Cycadophyta (Dioon), Gnetophyta (Ephedra), and within the Coniferophyta, representatives of the families Araucariaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Cupressaceae, Podocarpaceae, Sciadopityaceae, and Taxaceae. These iron-rich particles were determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis to be rich in phosphorus and iron, but generally contained considerable potassium, some magnesium, and perhaps calcium, chlorine, manganese, and (or) zinc. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that these particles were often less than 0.33 μm in diameter and were naturally electron dense. These particles differed from the globoids that were present in the same cells. Globoids were rich in phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium, but lacked high levels of iron. Globoids sometimes contained calcium and perhaps traces of iron, manganese, and zinc. Frequently, globoids were more electron-dense and more regularly spherical in shape. Iron-rich particles and globoids are apparently common features in embryos of the early seed plants.Key words: iron-rich particles in seeds, Ginkgophyta, Cycadophyta, Gnetophyta, Coniferophyta, globoids in seeds.


1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 477-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. T. Terhune ◽  
E. A. Allen ◽  
H. C. Hoch ◽  
W. P. Wergin ◽  
E. F. Erbe

The development and morphology of the stomatal complex in Phaseolus vulgaris was examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The outer aperture formed between the stomatal guard cells was bordered by cuticular ledges, 1.2–5.3 μm wide. These were composed of a matrix of electron-dense fibrils supporting an autofluorescent amorphous outer layer, homologous to the cuticle. This layer of cuticle lined the ventral walls of the guard cells and extended into the substomatal chamber. During stomatal development, as the guard cells separated, the outer cuticular layer covering the incipient aperture stretched and split, forming stomatal lips. These lips, 0.2–1.4 μm wide, were oriented horizontally, upright, and folded back from the ledge in TEM thin sections. In cryopreserved stomata, the lips were generally oriented upright regardless of whether the outer aperture was open or closed. Previous studies have implicated that stomatal lips may function to signal appressorium formation in urediniospore germlings of Uromyces appendiculatus. This study indicated that dimensions of the lips were within the parameters required to induce appressorium formation on artificial membranes. Other components of the stomatal architecture may also be involved in the induction of appressorium formation. Key words: Uromyces appendiculatus, Phaseolus vulgaris, stomata, cuticle, appressoria.


1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Carr ◽  
SGM Carr

The mode of stomatal development is studied in cotyledons, seedling and adult leaves of species of eucalypts and three species of Angophora. In the cotyledons of all species examined the early stomatal initials are unilabrate or dolabrate. The stomatal initials in seedling leaves of species of the Corymbosae and Clavigerae are anisocytic. In the 4th seedling leaf in species of a group we have previously called Monocalyptus the stomatal initials are also anisocytic. All other eucalypts retain the early cotyledonary mode of origin of stomata throughout life. These two modes of origin, whether anisocytic or by unilabrate and dolabrate initials, are set in all eucalypts from the 4th seedling leaf onward. Secondary characteristics of the adult stomata, e.g. number of subsidiary cells, are more complex than those of the seedling leaves; rarely, the relatively simple pattern of the seedling leaves may persist in the adult leaves of a given species. In species in which the initials in adult leaves are unilabrate or dolabrate, groups of stomata may share one or more subsidiary cells or be juxtaposed without an intervening subsidiary cell. The sister cell(s) of the guard mother cell may precociously develop a thicker cuticle than ordinary epidermal cells, and this may be apparent at maturity. The abaxial stomata of the cotyledons (but not of seedling or adult leaves) are regularly aligned parallel to the main venation. The existence of three main types of origin of stomata characteristic of three large non-interbreeding groups of eucalypts is of interest in the taxonomy of the genus.


1994 ◽  
Vol 340 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Peiro ◽  
A. Cornet ◽  
J.R. Morante ◽  
K. Zekentes ◽  
A. Georgakilas

ABSTRACTIn this work we present structural characterization by both Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy of InAlAs/InGaAs heterostructures grown on InP substrates. Our attention is devoted to study the two main problems limiting the application of these structures as devices: the presence of defects on the epilayer and the growth habit at theedges of the well. Our results show that a different faceting between the two <110> orthogonal directions develops during the growth and that a high density of defects is observed just at the intersection between the layers grown inside the windows and on the walls. Moreover, the presence of a polycrystalline layer developing over the mask indicates that a selective growth occurs.


Author(s):  
G. G. Shaw

The morphology and composition of the fiber-matrix interface can best be studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. For some composites satisfactory samples can be prepared by electropolishing. For others such as aluminum alloy-boron composites ion erosion is necessary.When one wishes to examine a specimen with the electron beam perpendicular to the fiber, preparation is as follows: A 1/8 in. disk is cut from the sample with a cylindrical tool by spark machining. Thin slices, 5 mils thick, containing one row of fibers, are then, spark-machined from the disk. After spark machining, the slice is carefully polished with diamond paste until the row of fibers is exposed on each side, as shown in Figure 1.In the case where examination is desired with the electron beam parallel to the fiber, preparation is as follows: Experimental composites are usually 50 mils or less in thickness so an auxiliary holder is necessary during ion milling and for easy transfer to the electron microscope. This holder is pure aluminum sheet, 3 mils thick.


Author(s):  
R. W. Anderson ◽  
D. L. Senecal

A problem was presented to observe the packing densities of deposits of sub-micron corrosion product particles. The deposits were 5-100 mils thick and had formed on the inside surfaces of 3/8 inch diameter Zircaloy-2 heat exchanger tubes. The particles were iron oxides deposited from flowing water and consequently were only weakly bonded. Particular care was required during handling to preserve the original formations of the deposits. The specimen preparation method described below allowed direct observation of cross sections of the deposit layers by transmission electron microscopy.The specimens were short sections of the tubes (about 3 inches long) that were carefully cut from the systems. The insides of the tube sections were first coated with a thin layer of a fluid epoxy resin by dipping. This coating served to impregnate the deposit layer as well as to protect the layer if subsequent handling were required.


Author(s):  
S. Fujishiro

The mechanical properties of three titanium alloys (Ti-7Mo-3Al, Ti-7Mo- 3Cu and Ti-7Mo-3Ta) were evaluated as function of: 1) Solutionizing in the beta field and aging, 2) Thermal Mechanical Processing in the beta field and aging, 3) Solutionizing in the alpha + beta field and aging. The samples were isothermally aged in the temperature range 300° to 700*C for 4 to 24 hours, followed by a water quench. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray method were used to identify the phase formed. All three alloys solutionized at 1050°C (beta field) transformed to martensitic alpha (alpha prime) upon being water quenched. Despite this heavily strained alpha prime, which is characterized by microtwins the tensile strength of the as-quenched alloys is relatively low and the elongation is as high as 30%.


Author(s):  
P.J. Dailey

The structure of insect salivary glands has been extensively investigated during the past decade; however, none have attempted scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in ultrastructural examinations of these secretory organs. This study correlates fine structure by means of SEM cryofractography with that of thin-sectioned epoxy embedded material observed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Salivary glands of Gromphadorhina portentosa were excised and immediately submerged in cold (4°C) paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixative1 for 2 hr, washed and post-fixed in 1 per cent 0s04 in phosphosphate buffer (4°C for 2 hr). After ethanolic dehydration half of the samples were embedded in Epon 812 for TEM and half cryofractured and subsequently critical point dried for SEM. Dried specimens were mounted on aluminum stubs and coated with approximately 150 Å of gold in a cold sputtering apparatus.Figure 1 shows a cryofractured plane through a salivary acinus revealing topographical relief of secretory vesicles.


Author(s):  
Nakazo Watari ◽  
Yasuaki Hotta ◽  
Yoshio Mabuchi

It is very useful if we can observe the identical cell elements within the same sections by light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and/or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sequentially, because, the cell fine structure can not be indicated by LM, while the color is; on the other hand, the cell fine structure can be very easily observed by EM, although its color properties may not. However, there is one problem in that LM requires thick sections of over 1 μm, while EM needs very thin sections of under 100 nm. Recently, we have developed a new method to observe the same cell elements within the same plastic sections using both light and transmission (conventional or high-voltage) electron microscopes.In this paper, we have developed two new observation methods for the identical cell elements within the same sections, both plastic-embedded and paraffin-embedded, using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and/or scanning electron microscopy (Fig. 1).


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