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Holocrine secretion and cytoplasmic content of Helleborus foetidus L. (Ranunculaceae) nectar
Author(s) -
Vesprini J. L.,
Nepi M.,
Ciampolini F.,
Pacini E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.871
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1438-8677
pISSN - 1435-8603
DOI - 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2007.00023.x
Subject(s) - biology , nectar , cytoplasm , plastid , botany , secretion , ranunculaceae , microbiology and biotechnology , pollen , biochemistry , chloroplast , gene
We used electron microscopy to investigate the fine structure of nectary secretions of Helleborus foetidus . During the secretion period, epidermal cells of nectaries discharge the whole contents of the cytoplasm into the nectary cavity. The external wall of the cell breaks, releasing the cytoplasm as a dense aggregate that later disperses in the nectary cavity. Cell components, such as chromatin, plastids, mitochondria, lipid droplets and membranes, were found in the nectar of H. foetidus , evincing the complex nature of the secreted material. These results confirm that nectar secretion in H. foetidus is of the holocrine type.