The Journal of General Physiology
Axon Instruments microelectrode amplifiers
  Home | Help | Feedback | Subscriptions | Archive | Search | Table of Contents
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF, 878K)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Services
Right arrow Email this article
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new content in the JGP
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Castle, E. S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Castle, E. S.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
The Journal of General Physiology, Vol 41, 913-926, Copyright © 1958 by The Rockefeller University Press

ARTICLE

THE TOPOGRAPHY OF TIP GROWTH IN A PLANT CELL

Edward S. Castle 1

1 From the Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, Cambridge Massachusetts

Tips of young Phycomyces sporangiophores were dusted with starch grains, and growth photographically recorded. Rates of longitudinal displacement from the cell tip of individual markers were determined, also corresponding rates of change of cell diameter. From these the magnitude and spatial distribution of "relative elemental growth rates" along both longitudinal and circumferential axes of the cell were obtained.

Growth rates in these two directions are functions of distance from the cell apex, and have different spatial distributions. In particular, rates of growth in cell circumference are complexly patterned. Relative elemental growth rates in length and in girth are approximately equal and maximal at the cell's apex, with a value of 2.4 mm. mm.–1 hr.–1. The characteristic shape of the tip is maintained constant in the face of its changing substance and position. This shape reflects a steady state of the cell's constituent growth patterns.

At every point the growing membrane simultaneously expands in the two dimensions of its surface. The degree of polarization or directional preference of growth is measured by the ratio of longitudinal to circumferential relative elemental growth rate at any point. The ratio is not constant, but changes with position along the tip. This fact does not support the idea that membrane growth is based upon a quantal "growth event." Possible causal factors in oriented membrane growth are discussed.

Submitted on November 12, 1957


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Plant Physiol.Home page
J. Dumais, S. R. Long, and S. L. Shaw
The Mechanics of Surface Expansion Anisotropy in Medicago truncatula Root Hairs
Plant Physiology, October 1, 2004; 136(2): 3266 - 3275.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Plant Physiol.Home page
T. I. Baskin, H. T.H.M. Meekes, B. M. Liang, and R. E. Sharp
Regulation of Growth Anisotropy in Well-Watered and Water-Stressed Maize Roots. II. Role of Cortical Microtubules and Cellulose Microfibrils
Plant Physiology, February 1, 1999; 119(2): 681 - 692.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 ScienceHome page
S. Bartnicki-Garcia and E. Lippman
Fungal Morphogenesis: Cell Wall Construction in Mucor rouxii
Science, July 18, 1969; 165(3890): 302 - 304.
[Abstract] [PDF]


  Home | Help | Feedback | Subscriptions | Archive | Search | Table of Contents