Changes in the distribution of plastids and endoplasmic reticulum during cellular differentiation in root caps of Zea mays

R. Moore, C. E. Mcclelen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

In calyptrogen cells of Zea mays, proplastids are distributed randomly throughout the cell, and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is distributed parallel to the cell walls. The differentiation of calyptrogen cells into columella statocytes is characterized by the following sequential events: (1) formation of ER complexes at the distal and proximal ends of the cell, (2) differentiation of proplastids into amyloplasts, (3) sedimentation of amyloplasts onto the distal ER complex, (4) breakdown of the distal ER complex and sedimentation of amyloplasts to the bottom of the cell, and (5) formation of sheets of ER parallel to the longitudinal cell walls. Columella statocytes located in the centre of the cap each posess 4530±780 μm2 of ER surface area, an increase of 670 per cent over that of calyptrogen cells. The differentiation of peripheral cells correlates positively with (1) the ER becoming arranged in concentric sheets, (2) amyloplasts and ER becoming randomly distributed, and (3) a 280 per cent increase in ER surface area over that of columella statocytes. These results are discussed relative to graviperception and mucilage secretion, which are functions of columella and peripheral cells, respectively.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)73-82
Number of pages10
JournalAnnals of Botany
Volume56
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1985

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by grants from the University Research Committee of Baylor University and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Keywords

  • Cellular differentiation
  • Endoplasmic reticulum
  • Graviperception
  • Plastids
  • Root cap
  • Zea mays

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Changes in the distribution of plastids and endoplasmic reticulum during cellular differentiation in root caps of Zea mays'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this