Yellow vs purple Often the flowers of one species are equal in colour. But sometimes not. Like a Tibetan Iris which can have either yellow or purple flowers. Now Chinese researchers show in BMC Plant biology that this is caused by mistakes in the colour gene F3H Plants depend on the colour of their flowers.Continue reading “Yellow vs purple”
Category Archives: Science
Directing cell divisions
Directing cell divisions Multicellular organisms come in lots of different forms and shapes. Al coming from the same invention: RHO GTPases, proteins that give a cell its polarity. Now a team of Austrian researchers show in Current Biology that the plant specific RHO GTPase, ROP, is required for both the polarity and orientation of cellContinue reading “Directing cell divisions”
Airy shoots
Airy shoots Plants grow towards the light. A phenomenon that keeps fascinating researchers. Now Swiss researchers show in Science that having airy spaces in young shoots helps plants to determine from which side the light is coming. Phototropism is the phenomenon of growing towards the light. Plants are using receptors that are sensitive to blueContinue reading “Airy shoots”
‘Water balloons’ uncovered
‘Water balloons’ uncovered The leaves of quinoa and ice plants are covered with fine hairs. Long was believed that these hairs help plants coping during water shortage and salt stress. But now Danish researchers show in Current Biology that this is not true: they protect against herbivory insects. Quinoa and ice plants are salt tolerantContinue reading “‘Water balloons’ uncovered”
Plant en Zo 