Premium
THE CELL WALL RESIDUE OF FOSSIL WOOD FROM SENFTENBERG
Author(s) -
Morey Philip R.,
Morey Elsie D.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1971.tb10013.x
Subject(s) - tracheid , cellulose , lignin , cell wall , botany , solubility , biology , penetration (warfare) , materials science , biophysics , composite material , xylem , chemistry , biochemistry , operations research , organic chemistry , engineering
Cellulose was identified in tracheids of a fossil wood from Senftenberg on the basis of birefringence, staining, and solubility properties. Birefringence was intrinsic. The lignin cell wall component showed the usual solubility properties. However, an abnormal fluorescence indicated some incipient deterioration of lignin. Observation with the polarizing microscope suggested that specific tracheids of the late wood were attacked by cellulose‐destroying bacteria. Degraded tracheids occurred most frequently in close proximity to the early wood. This suggested that prior to compaction, decay organisms penetrated the specimen through the then uncrushed, wide conduits of the early wood tracheids. Penetration by microorganisms in the radial direction into the late wood occurred subsequently through the tracheid pit system. The concept that both of the major cell wall constituents, cellulose and lignin, function as progenitors of the coal substance is discussed.