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Cytological and ultrastructural studies on root tissuesThe anatomy and fine structure of roots from oat and mung bean seedlings, grown under microgravity conditions for 8 days aboard the Space Shuttle, was examined and compared to that of roots from ground control plants grown under similar conditions. Roots from both sets of oat seedlings exhibited characteristic monocotyledonous tissue organization and normal ultrastructural features, except for cortex cell mitochondria, which exhibited a 'swollen' morphology. Various stages of cell division were observed in the meristematic tissues of oat roots. Ground control and flight-grown mung bean roots also showed normal tissue organization, but root cap cells in the flight-grown roots were collapsed and degraded in appearance, especially at the cap periphery. At the ultrastructural level, these cells exhibited a loss of organelle integrity and a highly-condensed cytoplasm. This latter observation perhaps suggests a differing tissue sensitivity for the two species to growth conditions employed in space flight. The basis for abnormal root cap cell development is not understood, but the loss of these putative gravity-sensing cells holds potential significance for long term plant growth orientation during space flight.
Document ID
20040089935
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Slocum, R. D.
(Yale University New Haven, CT 06511, United States)
Gaynor, J. J.
Galston, A. W.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Annals of botany
Volume: 54
Issue: Suppl 3
ISSN: 0305-7364
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-70
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7290
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Program Space Biology
NASA Discipline Number 40-10
manned
NASA Program Space Biology Research Associates
short duration
Flight Experiment
STS-3 Shuttle Project
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Plant Biology
NASA Discipline Number 40-99

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