Summary
The ultrastructure of the plasmodesmata found in the green alga Bulbochaete hiloensis has been examined by electron microscopy of ultra-thin sections. Unlike most other plasmodesmata that have been described recently, there are no internal components such as a desmotubule or a derivative of the endoplasmic reticulum. Each plasmodesma consists of a cylindrical connection between the plasma membranes of adjacent cells. The cylinder is constricted at each end to orifices which may be less than 100 Å in diameter. Within the cylinder the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane is lined with material probably consisting of helically arranged particles. The lumen here is 400–450 Å in diameter.
The observations are discussed in relation to possible functions in intercellular transport.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arisz, W. H.: Significance of the symplasm theory for transport in the root. Protoplasma (Wien) 46, 5–62 (1956).
Bisalputra, T.: Electron microscopic study of the protoplasmic continuity in certain brown algae. Canad. J. Bot. 44, 89–93 (1966).
Clowes, F. A. L., and B. E. Juniper: Plant Cell Oxford: Blackwell Sci. Publ. 1968.
De Zoeten, G. A., and G. Gaard: Possibilities for inter-and intracellular translocation of some icosahedral plant viruses. J. Cell. Biol. 40, 814–823 (1969).
Esau, K.: Viruses in Plant Hosts. Form, Distribution, and Pathological Effects. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press 1968.
—, J. Cronshaw, and L. L. Hoefert: Relation of beet yellows virus to the phloem and to movements in the sieve tube. J. Cell Biol. 32, 71–87 (1967).
Falk, H., u. H. Kleinig: Feinbau und Carotinoide von Tribonema (Xanthophyceae). Arch. Mikrobiol. 61, 347–362 (1968).
Heslop-Harrison, J.: Cytoplasmic connexions between angiosperm meiocytes. Ann. Bot. (Lond.), N.S. 30, 221–230 (1966).
Hill, G. T. C., and L. Machlis: An ultrastructural study of vegetative cell division in Oedogonium borisianum. J. Phycol. 4, 261–271 (1968).
Lüttge, U.: Aktiver Transport (Kurzstreckentransport bei Pflanzen). Protoplasmatologia 8, 7b, 1–146 (1969).
Markham, R., S. Frey, and G. J. Hills: Methods for the enhancement of image detail and accentuation of structure in electron microscopy. Virology 20, 88–102 (1963).
Meek, G. A.: An improved operating method for the AEI-EM6B electron microscope. J. roy. micr. Soc. 88, 419–429 (1968).
O'Brien, T. P., and D. J. Carr: A suberised layer in the cell walls of the bundle sheath of grasses. (In Press.)
—, and K. V. Thimann: Observations on the fine structure of the oat coleoptile. II. The parenchyma cells at the apex. Protoplasma (Wien) 63, 417–442 (1967).
Pickett Heaps, J. D.: Ultrastructure and differentiation in Chara, sp. I. Vegetative cells. Aust. J. biol. Sci. 20, 539–551 (1967).
—: Ultrastructure and differentiation in Chara (fibrosa). IV. Spermatogenesis. Aust. J. biol. Sci. 21, 655–690 (1968).
Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electronopaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).
Robards, A. W.: A new interpretation of plasmodesmatal ultrastructure. Planta (Berl.) 82, 200–210 (1968).
Spanswick, R. M., and J. W. F. Costerton: Plasmodesmata in Nitella translucens: Structure and electrical resistance. J. Cell Sci. 2, 451–464 (1967).
Weier, T. E., and A. A. Benson: The molecular organisation of chloroplast membranes. Amer. J. Bot. 54, 389–402 (1967).
Ziegler, H., u. U. Lüttge: Die Salzdrüsen von Limonium vulgare. II. Die Lokalisierung des Chlorids. Planta (Berl.) 74, 1–17 (1967).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fraser, T.W., Gunning, B.E.S. The ultrastructure of plasmodesmata in the filamentous green alga, Bulbochaete hiloensis (Nordst.) tiffany. Planta 88, 244–254 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00385067
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00385067