THE "CRYSTALS" IN THE SUGAR BEET (BETA VULGARIS L.) LEAVES
G. A. Semenova,1 A. K. Romanova 2
1 Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics RAS, and
2 Institute of Fundamental Problem of Biology RAS, Pushchino, Moscow Region;
e-mail: aromanova27@rambler.ru
Crystal containing cells widely distributed in plant tissues, though the origin of the crystals and their functions
are still opened to question. Membrane vesicles in beet leaves are visible in electronic microscope. They
originate in cytoplasm and penetrate into vacuole by pinocytosis with participation of tonoplast. In light microscope,
vesicles are luminous likewise crystals in crystal cells. Such vesicles-"crystals" fulfill crystal cells also.
The content of vesicles-"crystals" are electronic transparent at every path of leaf development. It was proposed
that distinct vesicles-"crystals" in cytoplasm and vacuole and mass of them in crystal cells, vein bundles, and
epidermal cells - all of them are lytic compartments. Later, obviously, true crystals are formed.
Key words: Beta vulgaris, vacuole, crystal cells, pinocytosis
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