Physiological effects of auxin ¤ cell elongation ¤ phototropism: lateral distribution of auxin ¤ gravitropism: ¤ thigmotropism: less is known, probably involves auxin gradient
Evidence that the lateral redistribution of auxin The shaded side is more acidic
How do plant cells detect gravity A gravity sensor: the large, dense amyloplasts Statoliths; Statocytes – the specialized gravity-sensing cells in the central cylinder of root cap, columella In shoots: starch sheath a layer of cells that surrounds the vascular tissues of the shoot Fig a
Starch-statolith hypothesis: columella Nodal ER (5~7 rough ER sheets) Starch-deficient mutants: no gravitropic response Starch-less mutants: some gravitropism Exist some starch-independent gravity perception mechanism
Tensegrity model for gravitropism (02) Tensional integrity: structural integrity created by interactive tension between the structural components. Web Topic The giant-celled fresh water alga Chara the entire protoplast acts like a statolith, and that gravity is perceived at the interface between plasma membrane and cell wall Plasmalemma Central Control (PCC) model, stretch-activated calcium channels are clustered around attachment centers connecting the cytoskeleton and the cell wall. Gravity sensing: calcium and pH dependent
Gravity sensing may involve pH changes A cytosolic pH-sensitive fluorescent dye The cytoplasmic pH , apoplastic pH 10 min delay tropic curvature (7.2 7.6) (5.5 4.5) columella activate H + -ATPase
Gravity sensing – calcium and pH dependent ¤ + EGTA: agravitropism + Ca 2+ agar: bend to the agar side intracellular [Ca 2+ ] ¤ thigmotropism
Auxin is redistribution laterally in the root cap Bending occur Protection, perception Cap produces root growth inhibitor affect gravitropism