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.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Asahi, Y., Toyama, S. (1982) Some factors affecting the chloroplast replication in the moss Plagiomnium trichomanes. Protoplasma 112, 9–16
Bennett, M.D. (1971) The duration of meiosis. Proc. R. Soc. London Ser. B 178, 277–299
Boasson, R., Bonner, J.J., Laetsch, W.M. (1972) Induction and regulation of chloroplast replication in mature tobacco leaf tissue. Plant Physiol. 49, 97–101
Boffey, S.A., Ellis, J.R., Selldén, G., Leech, R.M. (1979) Chloroplast division and DNA synthesis in light-grown wheat leaves. Plant Physiol. 64, 502–505
Butterfass, T. (1973) Control of plastid division by means of nuclear DNA amount. Protoplasma 76, 167–195
Butterfass, T. (1983) A nucleotypic control of chloroplast reproduction. Protoplasma 118, 71–74
Ellis, J.R. (1981) Cellular development and chloroplast replication in the first leaf of wheat seedlings. Ph.D. thesis, University of York, UK
Ellis, J.R., Jellings, A.J., Leech, R.M. (1983) Nuclear DNA content and the control of chloroplast replication in wheat leaves. Planta 157, 376–380
Granick, S. (1955) Plastid structure, development and inheritance. In: Encyclopedia of plant physiology, vol. 1: Genetic control of physiological processes. The constitution of the plant cell, pp. 507–564, Ruhland, W., ed. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Honda, S.I. (1983) Some effects of cyclic nucleotide treatment on chloroplast growth and replication in Wolffia arrhiza. (Abstr.) J. Cell Biol. 97, 363A
Honda, S.I., Hongladarom-Honda, T., Kwanyuen, P., Wildman, S.G. (1971) Interpretations on chloroplast reproduction derived from correlations between cells and chloroplasts. Planta 97, 1–15
Kahn, A., von Wettstein, D. (1961) Macromolecular physiology of plastids. II. Structure of isolated spinach chloroplasts. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 5, 557–574
Kameya, T. (1972) Cell elongation and division of chloroplasts. J. Exp. Bot. 23, 62–64
Leech, R.M. (1976) The replication of plastids in higher plants. In: Cell division in higher plants, chap. 4, pp. 135–159, Yeoman, M.M., ed. Academic Press, London New York
Leech, R.M. Thomson, W.W., Platt-Aloia, K.A. (1981) Observations on the mechanism of chloroplast division in higher plants. New Phytol 87, 1–9
MacNutt, M.M., von Maltzahn, K.E. (1960) Cellular dedifferentiation and re-differentiation in Splachnum ampullaceum (L.) Hedw. Can. J. Bot. 38, 895–908
Olszewska, M.J., Damsz, B., Rabeda, E. (1983) DNA endoreplication and increase in number of chloroplasts during leaf differentiation in five monocotyledonous species with different 2C DNA contents. Protoplasma 116, 41–50
Paolillo, D.J., Kass, L.B. (1977) The relationship between cell size and chloroplast number in the spores of a moss, Polytrichum. J. Exp. Bot. 28, 457–467
Possingham, J.V. (1980) Plastid replication and development in the life cycle of higher plants. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 31, 113–129
Possingham, J.V., Lawrence, M.E. (1983) Controls to plastid division. Int. Rev. Cytol. 84, 1–56
Reynolds, E.S. (1963) The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212
Scott, N.S., Possingham, J.V. (1980) Chloroplast DNA in expanding spinach leaves. J. Exp. Bot. 31, 1081–1092
Stebbins, G.L. (1950) Variation and evolution in plants. Columbia Univ. Press, New York London
Stebbins, G.L. (1971) Chromosomal evolution in higher plants. Edward Arnold, London
Tsuji, H., Naito, K., Hatakeyama, I., Ueda, K. (1979) Benzyladenine-induced increase in DNA content per cell, chloroplast size, and chloroplast number per cell in intact bean leaves. J. Exp. Bot. 30, 1145–1151
Weibel, E.R. (1969) Stereological principles for morphometry in electron microscopic cytology. Int. Rev. Cytol. 26, 235–302
Watley, J.M. (1980) Plastid growth and division in Phaseolus vulgaris. New Phytol. 86, 1–16
Wild, A., Wolf, G. (1980) The effect of different light intensities on the frequency and size of stomata, the size of cells, the number, size and chlorophyll content of chloroplasts in the mesophyll and the guard cells during the ontogeny of primary leaves of Sinapis alba. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 97, 325–342
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
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
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392220