This Post Is Recently Updated on Oct 27, 2023 @ 7:34 am by TBB Desk
In a pioneering study spearheaded by Dr. Yin-Zheng Wang from the Institute of Botany at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a novel type of cell named “contractile cells” has been unveiled in Chirita pumila, illuminating a new chapter in plant anatomy and evolution. These cells, known for their distinct water-sensitive reticular structures, are the linchpin behind the stigma’s bidirectional movements, fostering a self-pollination pathway—a tactical adaptation to unpredictable insect cross-pollination.
Delving into the Chirita pumila’s stigma movement, Dr. Wang’s team discerned that these contractile cells swell significantly upon water absorption, thereby orchestrating the stigma’s extension and contraction. Unlike the conventional parenchyma cells with large central vacuoles, these contractile cells harbor a unique reticular framework, which upon water absorption, elongates over eightfold, driving the stigma’s motility.
Through meticulous examinations using Cryo-SEM, TEM, and fluorescence signal analysis, the researchers delineated the unique architecture of these cells. The reticular structure, a product of endoplasmic reticulum teeming with granular ribosomes, is the cornerstone of water sensitivity, distinguishing contractile cells from the traditional parenchyma cells.
Field observations further showcased how these cells influence the stigma’s bidirectional movements, steering a pollen channel for self-pollination, a remarkable evolutionary stride amidst uncertain insect cross-pollination environments. This discovery unfurls not only a novel cellular entity but also a nuanced understanding of plant reproductive strategies, potentially reshaping the discourse on plant evolution and reproductive biology.
This groundbreaking study, “A new type of cell related to organ movement for selfing in plants,” published in the National Science Review, heralds a new horizon in botany, melding cellular anatomy with evolutionary adaptation in a seamless narrative.
(Reference: Wang et al., 2023, National Science Review)
