Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 1970 · 73 citations · 5 references
Life SciencesPlant BiologyPlant SciencesPlant AnatomyPlant Cell BiologyPlant PhysiologyAuxin BiologyCell Wall BiosynthesisCell Wall PhysiologyCell Wall StructurePlant CellsPlant GrowthCell Elongation RegulationCell Wall DevelopmentCell Wall ExpansionCell Wall ExtensibilityCell Wall Polysaccharide SynthesisPlant Cell Wall ArchitecturePlant Cell Wall FunctionStem Elongation Control
A new technique is described for studying controlled in vitro extension of plant cell walls. This technique uses frozen-thawed Avena coleoptile segments in which turgor is replaced by a constant applied force. In this system rapid extension is induced by low pH (3.0-3.6) but not by auxins or CO(2). Extensions of over 30% have been achieved. Our results indicate that cell wall synthesis is not required for rapid cell extension, and suggest that wall extension may be controlled by acid-labile, alkali-stable cell wall bonds.
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