Postfertilization changes in ovules of Monotropa uniflora L. (Monotropaceae)

Monotropa uniflora is an achlorophyllous angiosperm consisting of a mycorrhizae-dependent root system that produces floriferous, aerial shoots. Each of the numerous, minute ovules is anatropous, unitegmic, and contains a Polygonum type female gametophyte. Following double fertilization, a lipid-rich...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of botany 1991, Vol.78 (1), p.99-107
Main Author: Olson, A. Randall
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
anatomia de la planta
anatomie vegetale
angiospermas
angiosperme
Angiosperms
Biological and medical sciences
Botany
Cytoplasm
Embryos
Endosperm
fecondation
fecundacion
fertilization
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gametophytes
graine
Lipids
nouvelle ecosse
nova scotia
Ova
ovule
Ovules
ovulo
plant anatomy
Plant physiology and development
Plant reproduction
seeds
semilla
Taxa
Vegetative and sexual reproduction, floral biology, fructification
Zygotes
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Summary:Monotropa uniflora is an achlorophyllous angiosperm consisting of a mycorrhizae-dependent root system that produces floriferous, aerial shoots. Each of the numerous, minute ovules is anatropous, unitegmic, and contains a Polygonum type female gametophyte. Following double fertilization, a lipid-rich, cellular endosperm develops in association with both chalazal and micropylar haustoria. The vacuolate zygote elongates prior to a cytoplasmically unequal division resulting in a small terminal cell subtended by a larger, vacuolate basal cell. The basal cell eventually degenerates, isolating the terminal cell which is completely surrounded by endosperm. The terminal cell undergoes a cytoplasmically equal transverse division resulting in a two-celled embryo embedded in endosperm. In final stages of seed maturation, lipids decrease and reserve proteins increase in the cytoplasm of both the endosperm and embryo. The morphological reduction of the mature embryo may be associated with a specialized mode of nutrition.
ISSN:0002-9122
1537-2197
DOI:10.1002/j.1537-2197.1991.tb12576.x