Summary
The rhizoids of gametophytes ofPolypodium vulgare L. rapidly absorb vital stains whereas the protonemal cells are impermeable to these stains, which can only enter the cells from the rhizoids. The protonemal cells which bear rhizoids were found to have a slightly higher osmotic equivalent than did the rhizoids or the protonemal cells on either side. From the results of several staining procedures it was demonstrated that the rhizoid walls contain free carboxyl groups and thus possess cation exchange properties. Most of the carboxyl groups are probably present in a yellow-brown wall matrix substance, which shows high resistance to acid and alkali extraction. The precise nature of this substance has not been determined but it could be an acid mucopolysaccharide. Carboxyl groups are detectable in the protonemal cell walls only after saponification and are probably esterified in the untreated wall. Several other chemical and physiological differences were found between the rhizoids and the protonemal cells and it was concluded that the specific properties of the rhizoids are related to their function as organs of uptake.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barka, T., andP. J. Anderson, 1963: Histochemistry: theory, practice, and bibliography. New York: Harper and Row.
Behnke, O., 1968: Electron microscopical observations on the surface coating of human blood platelets. J. Ultrastruct. Res.24, 51–69.
Brandt, P. W., andG. D. Pappas, 1960: An electron microscopic study of pinocytosis in ameba. I. The surface attachment phase. J. Biophys. Biochem. Cytol.8, 675–687.
Chapman-Andresen, C., 1962: Studies on pinocytosis in amoebae. C. R. Lab. Carlsberg.33, 73–264.
Crotty, W. J., 1967: Rhizoid cell differentiation in the fern gametophyte ofPteris vittata. Amer. J. Bot.54, 105–117.
Dainty, J., andA. B. Hope, 1959: Ionic relations of cells ofChara australis. I. Ion exchange in the cell wall. Aust. J. Biol. Sci.12, 395–411.
Groniowski, J., W. Biczyskowa, andM. Walski, 1969: Electron microscope studies on the surface coat of the nephron. J. Cell Biol.40, 585–601.
Haberlandt, G., 1914: Physiological plant anatomy. (4th Edn. Trans.,M. Drummond, ed.). London: Macmillan.
Heath, I. D., 1961: Staining of sulphated mucopolysaccharides. Nature191, 1370–1371.
Ito, S., 1965: The enteric surface coat on cat intestinal microvilli. J. Cell Biol.27, 475–491.
Jansen, E. F., R. Lang, P. Albersheim, andJ. Bonner, 1960: Pectic metabolism of growing cell walls. Pl. Physiol.35, 87–91.
Jensen, W. A., 1960: The composition of the developing primary wall in onion root tip cells. II. Cytochemical localization. Amer. J. Bot.47, 287–295.
—, 1962: Botanical histochemistry: principles and practice. San Francisco: Freeman.
Keller, V. P. undH. Z. Deuel, 1957: Kationenaustauschkapazität und Pectingehalt von Pflanzenwurzeln. Z. Pflanzenernähr. Düng. Bodenk.79, 119–131.
Mowry, R. W., 1963: The special value of methods that color acidic and vicinal hydroxyl groups in the histochemical study of mucins. With revised directions for the colloidal iron stain, the use of Alcian blue 8GX and their combinations with the periodic acid Schiff reaction. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci.106, 402–423.
O'Brien, T. P., N. Feder, andM. E. McCully, 1964: Polychromatic staining of plant cell walls: by toluidine blue O. Protoplasma59, 368–373.
Reeve, R. M., 1959: Histological and histochemical changes in developing and ripening peaches. II. The cell walls and pectins. Amer. J. Bot.46, 241–247.
Retallack, B., andR. D. Butler, 1970: The development and structure of the zoospore vesicle inBulbochaete hiloensis. Arch. Mikrobiol.72, 223–227.
Reuter, L., 1953: A contribution to the cell-physiologic analysis of growth and morphogenesis in fern prothallia. Protoplasma42, 1–29.
Scott, J., G. Quintarelli, andM. Dellovo, 1964: The chemical and histochemical properties of alcian blue. I. The mechanism of alcian blue staining. Histochemie4, 73–85.
Smith, D. L., 1972: Localization of phosphatases in young gametophytes ofPolypodium vulgare L. Protoplasma74, 133–148.
—, andP. M. Robinson, 1969: The effects of fungi on morphogenesis of gametophytes ofPolypodium vulgare L. New Phytol.68, 113–122.
Sterling, C., 1970: Crystal structure of ruthenium red and stereochemistry of its pectic stain. Amer. J. Bot.57, 172–175.
Williams, D. E., andN. T. Coleman, 1950: Cation exchange properties of plant root surfaces. Plant and Soil2, 243–256.
Wright, R. D., andR. D. Lumsden, 1968: Ultrastructural and histochemical properties of the acanthocephalan epicuticle. J. Parasitol.54, 1111–1123.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Smith, D.L. Staining and osmotic properties of young gametophytes ofPolypodium vulgare L. and their bearing on rhizoid function. Protoplasma 74, 465–479 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01281963
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01281963