Nature of the guard cell wall in leaf stomata of three Ophioglossum species
A β-1,3-glucan which has characteristics of callose was identified as a component of the cell wall in stomatal guard cells in three species of the fern, Ophioglossum. This identification was made by the fluorochrome properties of callose when stained with aqueous solutions of aniline blue. Controls involved both the effect of solutions of different pH on autofluorescence of guard cell walls and the extraction of leaf tissues with β-1,3-glucanases before staining with aniline blue. An electron-translucent region between the plasmalemma and the cell wall proper was observed with the electron microscope and corresponded in position with the areas that fluoresced after aniline blue staining.Other components of the guard cell wall identified included cellulose, which was identified by staining techniques, polarization microscopy, and electron microscopy; and a phenolic substance identified by a number of staining reactions. The cell wall failed to stain with a number of reagents for the identification of lignin.