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IN SEARCH OF A PLANT GROWTH PARADIGM
Author(s) -
Burström H. G.
Publication year - 1979
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.1537-2197.1979.tb06199.x
Subject(s) - meristem , biology , apex (geometry) , elongation , botany , mechanism (biology) , apical cell , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , shoot , genetics , philosophy , materials science , epistemology , metallurgy , ultimate tensile strength
Growth by cell divisions in apical meristems is mainly a synthesis of cell matter. Cell divisions in the meristem follow certain patterns, with radial gradients which may be abruptly interrupted. The gradients go in the reverse directions in stem and root apex. The cause of the gradients seems to be unknown, likewise why the patterns are the opposite in stem and root, but they form the foundation of ensuing tissue differentiation. Cell elongation is driven by the metabolic energy of intussusception of new matter in the wall and by the accepted patterns for water fluxes. An attempt has been made to formulate questions which ought to be answered for a better insight into the mechanism of longitudinal growth.