scholarly journals Intercellular relations and wall structures in mature embryo sacs of four species of angiosperms

2014 ◽  
Vol 50 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Fougére-Rifot
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Mature Embryo ◽  
Central Cell ◽  
Maturation Process ◽  
Wall Structures ◽  
Turn Over ◽  
Thinning Process

During the maturation process of an ovule, the internal walls of the embryo sac becomes gradually thinner from the poles to the central cell. The thinning process results in an association of two plasma membranes with no polysaccharide structure betwen them. The presence of one disymmetrical ER cistern along the walls during the thinning process permits to anticipate a turn-over of carbohydrates.

scholarly journals The ultrastructure of the mature embryo sac in the natural tetraploid of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.): that has a very low rate of seed formation

2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gönül Algan ◽  
H. Nurhan Bakar
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Mature Embryo ◽  
Polar Nucleus ◽  
Central Cell ◽  
Egg Cell ◽  
Ultrastructural Organization ◽  
Seed Formation

In this study, ultrastructural organization of cells in the mature embryo sac of natural tetraploid <em>Trifolium pratense</em> L. was investigated. The mature embryo sac of this plant contains an egg cell with two synergids at the micropylar end, and a central cell with two polar nuclei. The ultrastructure of these cells agrees with what is known for most angiosperms studied with the electron microscope. The egg cell is a large and highly vacuolate cell, partially surrounded by a wall. Much of the cytoplasm is located around the nucleus at the chalazal end and there are few numbers of channel-shaped endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, plastids and numerous ribosomes distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Unlike the egg cell, much of the cytoplasm in synergid cells is located at micropylar part of the cell and the synergid cytoplasm contains especially, large numbers of rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, mitochondria and plastids. The central cell of <em>T. pratense</em> L. contains two large polar nuclei which lie close to the egg apparatus. Each polar nucleus has a single, large, dense nucleolus that contains several nucleolar vacuoles. Much of the central cell cytoplasm consisting of granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, plastids, ribosomes, dictyosomes and lipid bodies are placed around polar nuclei.

Early embryogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. I. The mature embryo sac

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. Mansfield ◽  
L. G. Briarty ◽  
S. Erni
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Mature Embryo ◽  
Central Cell ◽  
Egg Cell ◽  
Cell Cytoplasm ◽  
Intimate Contact ◽  
Egg Apparatus ◽  
Common Wall

Arabidopsis thaliana has a seven-celled eight-nucleate megagametophyte of the Polygonum type; each cell type displays a different form of structural specialization. The egg apparatus cells are highly polarized; the egg has a large micropylar vacuole and chalazally sited nucleus, whereas the opposite is true for the synergids. At the chalazal region of the egg apparatus cells there are no cell wall boundaries, although their plasmalemmas are in intimate contact. The common wall between the two synergids is thin and irregular and contains plasmodesmatal connections. The synergid cytoplasm is rich in organelles; profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum appear in masses of parallel stacked cisternae, and large accumulations of mitochondria occur adjacent to the filiform apparatus. The egg cell cytoplasm is quiescent; ribosome concentration and frequencies of dictyosomes and endoplasmic reticulum are noticeably lower and plastids are poorly differentiated. The central cell is long and vacuolate with a large diploid nucleus; fusion of the polar nuclei occurs prior to embryo sac maturity. The cytoplasm contains numerous starch-containing plastids accumulated in a shell around the nucleus. A high ribosome concentration and the absence of vacuoles and dictyosomes typifies the antipodal cell cytoplasm. All antipodal cells are interconnected by plasmodesmata as well as being connected to the nucellus and central cell. Key words: Arabidopsis, embryo sac, embryogenesis, cell specializations, stereology.

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.

Ultrastructural studies on the embryo sac of Viscum minimum: II. Megagametogenesis

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 1613-1628 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Zaki ◽  
J. Kuijt
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Mature Embryo ◽  
Mitotic Division ◽  
Central Cell ◽  
Egg Cell ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Final Length

Embryo sac development of Viscum minimum was investigated using light and electron microscopy. Stages described involve uninucleate, binucleate, four-nucleate, and mature embryo sacs following cellularization. During the early stage of development, prior to mitosis, numerous small vacuoles are initiated in the cytoplasm of a uninucleate functional megaspore. The centrally located nucleus undergoes the first mitotic division and results in formation of two identical nuclei sharing a common cytoplasm. As the vacuole increases rapidly in size, the two nuclei become separated and move to opposite poles where the second mitotic division takes place. A remarkable elongation of the embryo sac is observed between the second and third mitotic division. Eventually, the embryo sac reaches its final length, two-thirds of the length of the ovary, at cellularization. Elongation of the embryo sac is closely related to the increase in vacuole size. Factors involved in vacuole formation and in the elongation of the embryo sac are discussed along with changes accompanying the transition from a sporophytic to a gametophytic pattern of development. Ultrastructural studies on the mature embryo sac, following cellularization, suggest that the egg cell is the least active cell in the megagametophyte. On the other hand, the synergids appear metabolically very active, being rich in plastids, mitochondria, dictyosomes, numerous vesicles, polysomes, and reserves. The central cell is the largest cell in the embryo sac. In a mature embryo sac the central cell has two adjacent nuclei, suggesting that fusion of the nuclei is completed following pollination and fertilization. The antipodals possess a complete set of organelles, numerous free and aggregated ribosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum. It is believed the antipodals play a significant nutritive role during the development of the embryo sac of V. minimum. Modification of the wall between antipodals and central cell and its role in nutrient transportations are discussed. Key words: embryo sac, embryogenesis, gametogenesis, megagametogenesis, mistletoes, ultrastructure.

Reproductive development in two species of Darwinia Rudge (Myrtaceae)

1969 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Reproductive Development ◽  
Outer Zone ◽  
Mature Embryo ◽  
Globular Embryo ◽  
Primary Endosperm Nucleus ◽  
Oil Glands ◽  
Polygonum Type ◽  
History Of

In Darwinia the floral parts are differentiated in a "calyx-orolla-gynoeciumandroecium" sequence. In individual buds stages of microsporogenesis markedly precede corresponding stages of megasporogenesis. The anther is tetrasporangiate with all sporangia lying in one plane. The secretory tapetum is one- to three-layered within the same microsporangium and a large number of Ubisch bodies are formed. The anthers dehisce by minute lateral pores and an ingenious mechanism helps disperse the twocelled pollen grains. A basal placenta in the single loculus of the ovary bears four ovules in D. micropetala and two in D. fascicularis. In both species, however, only one ovule is functional after fertilization. The fully grown ovules are anatropous, crassinucellar, and bitegmic; the inner integument forms the micropyle. The parietal tissue is most massive at the completion of megasporogenesis but is progressively destroyed later. The embryo sac follows the Polygonum type of developnlent and when mature is five-nucleate, the three antipodals being ephemeral. Following fertilization, the primary endosperm nucleus divides before the zygote. Subsequent nuclear divisions in the endosperm mother cell are synchronous and lead to a free-nuclear endosperm which becomes secondarily cellular, starting from the micropylar end at the time the globular embryo assumes an elongated shape. Embryogeny is irregular and the mature embryo is straight with a massive radicle and a hypocotyl which terminates in two barely recognizable cotyledons. Sometimes the minute cotyledons are borne on a narrow neck-like extension of the hypocotyl. A suspensor is absent. Both integuments are represented in the seed coat and only the outer layer of the outer and the inner layer of the inner integuments, with their thick-walled tanniniferous cells, remain in the fully grown seed. The ovary wall is demarcated into an outer zone containing oil glands surrounded by cells containing a tannin-like substance and an inner zone of spongy parenchyma. In the fruit this spongy zone breaks down completely but the outer zone is retained. The two species of Darwinia, while closely resembling each other in their embryology, differ significantly from other Myrtaceae. However, no taxonomic conclusions are drawn at this stage, pending enquiry into the life history of other members of the tribe Chamaelaucieae.

Development of a Heat-Inducible Gene Expression System Using Female Gametophytes of Arabidopsis thaliana

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 2564-2572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dukhyun Hwang ◽  
Satomi Wada ◽  
Azusa Takahashi ◽  
Hiroko Urawa ◽  
Yasuhiro Kamei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Gene Induction ◽  
Central Cell ◽  
Egg Cell ◽  
Dominant Negative Mutant ◽  
Nucleate Cell ◽  
Recombination System ◽  
Induction System

Abstract Female gametophyte (FG) is crucial for reproduction in flowering plants. Arabidopsis thaliana produces Polygonum-type FGs, which consist of an egg cell, two synergid cells, three antipodal cells and a central cell. Egg cell and central cell are the two female gametes that give rise to the embryo and surrounding endosperm, respectively, after fertilization. During the development of a FG, a single megaspore produced by meiosis undergoes three rounds of mitosis to produce an eight-nucleate cell. A seven-celled FG is formed after cellularization. The central cell initially contains two polar nuclei that fuse during female gametogenesis to form the secondary nucleus. In this study, we developed a gene induction system for analyzing the functions of various genes in developing Arabidopsis FGs. This system allows transgene expression in developing FGs using the heat-inducible Cre-loxP recombination system and FG-specific embryo sac 2 (ES2) promoter. Efficient gene induction was achieved in FGs by incubating flower buds and isolated pistils at 35�C for short periods of time (1–5 min). Gene induction was also induced in developing FGs by heat treatment of isolated ovules using the infrared laser-evoked gene operator (IR-LEGO) system. Expression of a dominant-negative mutant of Sad1/UNC84 (SUN) proteins in developing FGs using the gene induction system developed in this study caused defects in polar nuclear fusion, indicating the roles of SUN proteins in this process. This strategy represents a new tool for analyzing the functions of genes in FG development and FG functions.

Ultrastructural Aspects of the Mature Embryo Sac of Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.

1984 ◽  
Vol 145 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Folsom ◽  
Curt M. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Glycine Max ◽  
Embryo Sac ◽  
Mature Embryo ◽  
Glycine Max L
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