Plants lift up their leaves in crowded environments, so they can capture more light. While researchers know a lot of how plants do this, what causes cells to grow, which is needed for this response, is unclear. Now a group of international researchers show that the potassium channel AKT5 pumps in K+ ions into the cell, subsequently promoting the cell to expand.
Tag Archives: Leaves
Twisting stems and the golden rule
Most plants orient their leaves around their stem according to the principle of the golden rule. This comes down to that every subsequent leaf is oriented at an angle of about 137.5 degrees compared to its predecessor. Now researchers found out how the plant does this.
Serrated leaves
Serrated leaves Ever asked yourself the question why the leaves of young plants have a different shape from those of mature plants? In a preprint German researchers now show that this is due to the fact that the protein SPL9 withdraws from the tip of the leaf. While young leaves often have a round orContinue reading “Serrated leaves”
Stopping with division
Stopping with division A leaf consists out of multiple cell types. Not only is the inside, but the outside also has multiple cell types. Like trichomes and stomata. In addition, there are the so-called pavement cells, these cells cover the majority of the surface of the leaf. Under the microscope these pavement cells look likeContinue reading “Stopping with division”
Plant en Zo 