Polyribosomes and Cisternal Accumulations in Root Cells of Radish

The zone of root hair formation of seedling radish roots, Raphanus sativus L., was studied by phase-contrast and electron microscopy. Localized dilations of the endoplasmic reticulum, which contained a moderately dense proteinaceous material, were found to be a common component of the cytoplasm in cells of the epidermis and cortex. The surfaces of these dilations were covered with polyribosomes in discrete coils commonly composed of 15 to 17 ribosomes. The function of these structures and the fate of the material accumulated in them are unknown. Their similarity to structures described in some types of animal cells is discussed.