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The distribution of ionic calcium in the tissues of the gynoecium ofAntirrhinum majus

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Summary

The distribution of ionic calcium in the tissues of the gynoecium ofAntirrhinum majus flowers has been studied using the glyoxal bis (2-hydroxy-anil) staining procedure.

The highest concentration of ionic calcium is found in the cells of the placenta and the cells lining the inner ovary wall. The cells of the ovule are comparatively low in calcium, and there is no higher concentration of calcium in the region of the micropyle and embryo sac. The cells of the stigma contain less calcium than those of the placenta, but almost the same as the cells of the ovule. The stigmatoid tissue and surrounding parenchyma in the style contain a low amount of calcium, lower than that found in the ovule and stigma. The relevance of these data to the growth and chemotropism of pollen tubes is discussed.

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Author notes

  1. Joseph P. Mascarenhas

    Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts, USA

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    1. Joseph P. Mascarenhas
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    Additional information

    This study was made possible by a grant from the Brown-Hazen Fund of Research Corporation and by Grant GB 3243 from the National Science Foundation. The technical assistance of Miss Annabelle M. Birrow is gratefully acknowledged.

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    Mascarenhas, J.P. The distribution of ionic calcium in the tissues of the gynoecium ofAntirrhinum majus . Protoplasma 62, 53–58 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01254632

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01254632

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