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”
Tag Archives: Engels
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”
Enlarging the throughfare
Enlarging the throughfare Plant cells are surrounded by cell walls. To stay in contact with their neighbours they have those tunnel like structures, called plasmodesmata. Through these tunnels small molecules can travel from cell to cell. But pathogens also use these throughfares. Now English researchers show that pathogens enlarge these tunnels in a still unknownContinue reading “Enlarging the throughfare”
Plant en Zo 