Pollen discrimination

Pollen discrimination When visiting flowers pollinators bring a wide variety of pollen, coming from a range of plants. From plants of the same species, but also from those that are not related at all. Plants are picky, to prevent spending their energy on the production of unviable offspring. Only pollen that are recognised as compatibleContinue reading “Pollen discrimination”

Grip on DNA

Grip on DNA For plants that reproduce trough flowering, a proper formation of these flowers is essential. One of the important proteins in this process is LEAFY, a gene on/off switching protein. LEAFY regulates genes needed for flower formation. LEAFY can turn on some of these by itself, but for others LEAFY needs a helpingContinue reading “Grip on DNA”

Ghost plants

Ghost plants Plants and the colour green are inseparable connected. Plants are green due to their chlorophyl, the small organelles where photosynthesis takes place. Still there are plants that, irrespective of the advantages of making your own energy, chose to chuck their chlorophyl out. Without chlorophyl these plants have a ghostly appearance and get theirContinue reading “Ghost plants”

Spookplanten

Spookplanten Planten en de kleur groen zijn onlosmakelijk aan elkaar gebonden. Hun groene kleur danken planten aan hun chlorofyl, kleine organellen waar de fotosynthese plaats vindt. Toch zijn er planten die, ondanks alle voordelen van het aanmaken van je eigen energie, gekozen hebben on hun chlorofyl de deur uit te doen. Zonder chlorofyl zien dezeContinue reading “Spookplanten”