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Cell size and chloroplast size in relation to chloroplast replication in light-grown wheat leaves

Planta volume 165, pages 120–125 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

As part of an investigation into the control of chloroplast replication the number and size of chloroplasts in mesophyll cells was examined in relation to the size of the cells. In first leaves of Triticum aestivum L. and T. monococcum L. the number of chloroplasts in fully expanded mesophyll cells is positively correlated with the plan area of the cells. The linear relationship between chloroplast number per cell and cell plan area is also consistent over a fivefold range of cell size in isogenic diploid and tetraploid T. monococcum. In T. aestivum the chloroplast number per unit cell plan area varies among cells in relation to the size of the chloroplasts. Those cells containing chloroplasts with a relatively small face area have a correspondingly higher density of chloroplasts, and consequently, the total chloroplast area per unit cell plan area is very similar in all the cells. The results indicate that the proportion of the cell surface area covered by chloroplasts is precisely regulated, and that this is achieved during cell development by growth and replication of the chloroplasts.

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Author notes

  1. J. R. Ellis

    Present address: Department of Botany, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, DH1 3LE, Durham, UK

Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, Y01 5DD, York, UK

    J. R. Ellis & R. M. Leech

Authors
  1. J. R. Ellis
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  2. R. M. Leech
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Ellis, J.R., Leech, R.M. Cell size and chloroplast size in relation to chloroplast replication in light-grown wheat leaves. Planta 165, 120–125 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392220

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392220

Key words

  • Cell size
  • Chloroplast replication
  • Mesophyll (development)
  • Polyploidy
  • Triticum (chloroplast replication)