Cotton embryogenesis: pollen tube development in the nucellus

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Tube ◽  
Gossypium Hirsutum ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Dense Material ◽  
Nucellar Cell ◽  
Electron Dense Material

The nucellus of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) contains a column of specialized cells which degenerate before the pollen tube reaches the nucellus. The pollen tube grows between the walls of these degenerate cells. The growth of the pollen tube crushes most of these cells but does not cause the degeneration of additional nucellar cells. An electron-dense material is found in the nucellar cell walls associated with the growth of the pollen tube for about one-half the thickness of the nucellus. This material appears to spread in a wave-like fashion from the tube through the walls of the nucellar cells. Both the walls and cytoplasm of the cells do not appear changed after the passage of the material. The dense material never reaches the embryo sac itself.

Ultrastructural observations of the mature megagametophyte and the fertilization in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruilin You ◽  
William A. Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Pollen Tube ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Mature Embryo ◽  
Central Cell ◽  
The Other ◽  
Egg Cell ◽  
Filiform Apparatus ◽  
Egg Apparatus

The mature embryo sac of wheat contains an egg apparatus composed of an egg cell and two synergids at the micropylar end, a central cell with two large polar nuclei in the middle, and a mass of 20 to 30 antipodals at the chalazal end. A comparison was made of the ultrastructural features of the various cells of the embryo sac. The features included the position of the nucleus and vacuoles, the number, structure, and distribution of organelles, and the extent of the cell walls surrounding each cell. The pollen tube enters one synergid through the filiform apparatus from the micropyle. The penetration and discharge of the pollen tube causes the further degeneration of that synergid, which had already undergone changes before pollination. The second synergid does not change further in appearance following the penetration of the first by the pollen-altered tube. Half an hour after pollination at 20–25 °C, two male nuclei are seen in the cytoplasm of the egg and the central cell. At about 1 h after pollination, one sperm has made contact with the egg nucleus, while the other sperm is fusing with one of the polar nuclei.

Comparative Morphology of Intercellular Bridges Between Developing Germ Cells of the Ovary

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 328-329
Author(s):  
J. R. Ruby ◽  
R. F. Dyer ◽  
R. G. Skalko ◽  
R. F. Gasser ◽  
E. P. Volpe
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Rana Pipiens ◽  
Comparative Morphology ◽  
Dense Material ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Microscope Examination ◽  
Electron Dense Material ◽  
Intercellular Bridges ◽  
Cytoplasmic Side ◽  
Intercellular Connections

An electron microscope examination of fetal ovaries has revealed that developing germ cells are connected by intercellular bridges. In this investigation several species have been studied including human, mouse, chicken, and tadpole (Rana pipiens). These studies demonstrate that intercellular connections are similar in morphology regardless of the species.Basically, all bridges are characterized by a band of electron-dense material on the cytoplasmic side of the tri-laminar membrane surrounding the connection (Fig.l). This membrane is continuous with the plasma membrane of the conjoined cells. The dense material, however, never extends beyond the limits of the bridge. Variations in the configuration of intercellular connections were noted in all ovaries studied. However, the bridges in each individual species usually exhibits one structural characteristic seldom found in the others. For example, bridges in the human ovary very often have large blebs projecting from the lateral borders whereas the sides of the connections in the mouse gonad merely demonstrate a slight convexity.

scholarly journals Two Expansin Genes, AtEXPA4 and AtEXPB5, Are Redundantly Required for Pollen Tube Growth and AtEXPA4 Is Involved in Primary Root Elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Weimiao Liu ◽  
Liai Xu ◽  
Hui Lin ◽  
Jiashu Cao
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Pollen Tube ◽  
Pollen Tube Growth ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Root Elongation ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Primary Root ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Tube Growth ◽  
Cell Wall Binding

The growth of plant cells is inseparable from relaxation and expansion of cell walls. Expansins are a class of cell wall binding proteins, which play important roles in the relaxation of cell walls. Although there are many members in expansin gene family, the functions of most expansin genes in plant growth and development are still poorly understood. In this study, the functions of two expansin genes, AtEXPA4 and AtEXPB5 were characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana. AtEXPA4 and AtEXPB5 displayed consistent expression patterns in mature pollen grains and pollen tubes, but AtEXPA4 also showed a high expression level in primary roots. Two single mutants, atexpa4 and atexpb5, showed normal reproductive development, whereas atexpa4atexpb5 double mutant was defective in pollen tube growth. Moreover, AtEXPA4 overexpression enhanced primary root elongation, on the contrary, knocking out AtEXPA4 made the growth of primary root slower. Our results indicated that AtEXPA4 and AtEXPB5 were redundantly involved in pollen tube growth and AtEXPA4 was required for primary root elongation.

scholarly journals Paving the Way for Fertilization: The Role of the Transmitting Tract

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2603
Author(s):  
Ana Marta Pereira ◽  
Diana Moreira ◽  
Sílvia Coimbra ◽  
Simona Masiero
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Tube ◽  
Pollen Tube Growth ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Tube Growth ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Transmitting Tract ◽  
Specialized Tissue

Angiosperm reproduction relies on the precise growth of the pollen tube through different pistil tissues carrying two sperm cells into the ovules’ embryo sac, where they fuse with the egg and the central cell to accomplish double fertilization and ultimately initiate seed development. A network of intrinsic and tightly regulated communication and signaling cascades, which mediate continuous interactions between the pollen tube and the sporophytic and gametophytic female tissues, ensures the fast and meticulous growth of pollen tubes along the pistil, until it reaches the ovule embryo sac. Most of the pollen tube growth occurs in a specialized tissue—the transmitting tract—connecting the stigma, the style, and the ovary. This tissue is composed of highly secretory cells responsible for producing an extensive extracellular matrix. This multifaceted matrix is proposed to support and provide nutrition and adhesion for pollen tube growth and guidance. Insights pertaining to the mechanisms that underlie these processes remain sparse due to the difficulty of accessing and manipulating the female sporophytic tissues enclosed in the pistil. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on this key step of reproduction in flowering plants with special emphasis on the female transmitting tract tissue.

Overgrowth of Pollen Tubes in Embryo Sacs of Rhododendron Following Interspecific Pollinations

1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 413 ◽  
Author(s):  
EG Williams ◽  
V Kaul ◽  
JL Rouse ◽  
BF Palser
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Tube ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Pollen Tubes ◽  
Egg Cell ◽  
Interspecific Crosses ◽  
Main Body

Frequent overgrowths of pollen tubes within the embryo sac are characteristic of a number of interspecific crosses in the genus Rhododendron (Ericaceae). The combined techniques of sectioning, squashing and whole-ovule clearing have confirmed that in ovules showing this phenomenon the pollen tube fails to terminate growth and release sperms on entry into a synergid; instead it continues to grow beyond the synergid and egg cell, often filling the main body of the embryo sac with a coiled and distorted mass. Such ovules fail to develop further. The occurrence and possible causes of this error syndrome are discussed.

The ultrastructure of M1-a-mediated resistance to powdery mildew infection in barley

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (22) ◽  
pp. 2589-2597 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. H. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Powdery Mildew ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
Dense Material ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Electron Dense Material ◽  
Host Cytoplasm ◽  
Powdery Mildew Infection ◽  
Cell Protoplast

M1-a-mediated resistance in barley to invasion by the CR3 race of Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei does not occur in every host cell with the same speed and severity. In some cells ultrastructural changes within the host cell as a result of resistance will occur within 24 h after inoculation, whereas in other cells these changes may take up to 72 h. In some cells the ultrastructural changes are so drastic that they give the appearance of a hypersensitive death of the host cell, whereas in other cells the changes are very slight. In any case, at the end of these changes the fungus ceases growth. The ultrastructural changes occur in penetrated host epidermal cells as well as non-infected adjacent epidermal and mesophyll cells.The following ultrastructural changes have been observed: (1) an electron-dense material which occurs either free in the vacuole or adhering to the tonoplast (the material is granular or in large clumps); (2) an increased electron density of the host cytoplasm and nucleus; (3) a breakdown of the tonoplast so that the cytoplasmic constituents become dispersed throughout the cell lumen; and (4) the deposition of papillar-like material in areas other than the penetration site. The first three changes take place within the host cell protoplasts and are directly attributable to the gene M1-a. These changes are typical of stress or incompatibility responses and thus M1-a appears to trigger a generalized incompatibility response in the presence of race CR3. The papillar-like material occurs outside the host cell protoplast in the same manner as the papilla and probably is not directly attributable to M1-a.

The morphology of grain abscission in Zizania aquatica

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (21) ◽  
pp. 2269-2273 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. B. Hanten ◽  
G. E. Ahlgren ◽  
J. B. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Wild Rice ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Vascular Tissue ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Middle Lamella ◽  
Abscission Zone ◽  
Rice Grains ◽  
Zizania Aquatica ◽  
Parenchyma Cells ◽  
Anatomical Evidence

The anatomical development of the abscission zone in grains of Zizania aquatica L. was correlated with development of the embryo. The abscission zone is well developed when the embryo sac is mature. Soon after pollination, the first anatomical evidence of abscission appears as plasmolysis of the separation layer parenchyma cells. This is followed by separation of the layers by dissolution of the middle lamella and fragmentation of cell walls. Persistence of intact vascular tissue and presence of a surrounding cone-shaped mass of lignified cells may be involved in abscission of wild rice grains.

Pollen Tube Pathway and Stimulation of Embryo Sac Development inPistacia vera(Anacardiaceae)

1997 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y SHURAKI
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Tube ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Embryo Sac Development ◽  
Stimulation Of

Visualization of changes in ciliary tip configuration caused by sliding displacement of microtubules in macrocilia of the ctenophore Beroe

1985 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.L. Tamm ◽  
S. Tamm
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Dense Material ◽  
Bend Angle ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Electron Dense Material ◽  
Central Pair ◽  
Rest Position ◽  
Recovery Stroke ◽  
Dimensional Models ◽  
As If

Macrocilia from the lips of the ctenophore Beroe consist of multiple rows of ciliary axonemes surrounded by a common membrane, with a giant capping structure at the tip. The cap is formed by extensions of the A and central-pair microtubules, which are bound together by electron-dense material into a pointed projection about 1.5 micron long. The tip undergoes visible changes in configuration during the beat cycle of macrocilia. In the rest position at the end of the effective stroke (+30 degrees total bend angle), there is no displacement between the tips of the axonemes, and the capping structure points straight into the stomach cavity. In the sigmoid arrest position at the end of the recovery stroke (−60 degrees total bend angle), the tip of the macrocilium is hook-shaped and points toward the stomach in the direction of the subsequent effective stroke. This change in tip configuration is caused by sliding displacement of microtubules that are bound together at their distal ends. Electron microscopy and two-dimensional models show that the singlet microtubule cap acts as if it were hinged to the ends of the axonemes and tilted to absorb the microtubule displacement that occurs during the recovery stroke. The straight and hooked shapes of the tip are thought to help the ctenophore ingest prey.

The apical structure in Perophora annectens (tunicate) spermatozoa: fine structure, differentiation and possible role in fertilization

1984 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-187
Author(s):  
M. Fukumoto
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Golgi Apparatus ◽  
Dense Material ◽  
Electron Dense Material ◽  
Extracellular Materials ◽  
Small Blister

The apical structure in Perophora annectens spermatozoa is approximately 4 micron in length and it is helically coiled. Its major component is a striated structure, which may be analogous to a perforatorium. The plasmalemma enclosing the anterior quarter of the apical structure is covered by extracellular materials, the anterior ornaments. During spermiogenesis, the apical structure is first recognized as a small blister of the plasmalemma at the apex of the young spermatid. It develops into a conical protrusion and then into a finger-like process (approximately 1 micron in length). This process is transformed into an elongated process (approximately 4 micron in length) with electron-dense material in its core. Finally, the elongated process is helically coiled to form an apical structure in which electron-dense material forms dense striations. Vesicles (50-70 nm in diameter), presumably derived from the Golgi apparatus, have been recognized in the blisters of younger spermatids, and can be followed through to the finger-like process. In the finger-like process these vesicles are transformed into smaller vesicles (20-30 nm in diameter), which probably fuse with the anterior plasmalemma of the finger-like process. This suggests that chorion lysin(s) is associated with the anterior membrane enclosing the apical structure in these spermatozoa.

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