In current models of the organization of polymers in primary cell walls of plants it is proposed that cellulosic microfibrils are embedded in a matrix of intenvoven noncellulosic polysaccharides and proteins (Talbott and Ray, 1992; Carpita and Gibeaut, 1993). There is good evidence that the microfibril surfaces are coated with noncellulosic polysaccharides such as xyloglucans and, possibly, ara...

The analysis of the first plant genomes provided unexpected evidence for genome duplication events in species that had previously been considered as true diploids on the basis of their genetics. These polyploidization events may have had important consequences in plant evolution, in particular for species radiation and adaptation and for the modulation of functional capacities. Here we report a...

The analysis of the first plant genomes provided unexpected evidence for genome duplication events in species that had previously been considered as true diploids on the basis of their genetics. These polyploidization events may have had important consequences in plant evolution, in particular for species radiation and adaptation and for the modulation of functional capacities. Here we report a...

The analysis of the first plant genomes provided unexpected evidence for genome duplication events in species that had previously been considered as true diploids on the basis of their genetics. These polyploidization events may have had important consequences in plant evolution, in particular for species radiation and adaptation and for the modulation of functional capacities. Here we report a...

The analysis of the first plant genomes provided unexpected evidence for genome duplication events in species that had previously been considered as true diploids on the basis of their genetics. These polyploidization events may have had important consequences in plant evolution, in particular for species radiation and adaptation and for the modulation of functional capacities. Here we report a...

Plant gas exchange with the environment is facilitated by stomata, small pores found on most aerial surfaces of land plants. Stomatal pores are formed between a pair of specialized guard cells. In C3 plants, open stomata allow the uptake of CO2 for photosynthesis during the day and at the same time the loss of water vapor, maintaining the transpiration stream. At night and during drought, plant...

Plant gas exchange with the environment is facilitated by stomata, small pores found on most aerial surfaces of land plants. Stomatal pores are formed between a pair of specialized guard cells. In C3 plants, open stomata allow the uptake of CO2 for photosynthesis during the day and at the same time the loss of water vapor, maintaining the transpiration stream. At night and during drought, plant...

Xylan is the major component of monocotyledon hemicelluloses of plant cell walls in which 13-1,4-linked D-xylose residues constitute the backbone of xylan. After cellulose, xylan is the most abundant renewable polysaccharide in nature, accounting for 20 to 30% of the dry weight of woody tissue. In order to maximize the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic residues by cellulase enzymes, synergistic act...

Brachypodium distachyon, a model genomic organism, has also been studied metabolomically for its reactions to specific stimuli such as fungal infection or proximity to other botanical organisms. Coincidentally, the metabolic output in response to pathogenic fungi produces compounds (phospholipids) valuable in treating invasive fungal infections in humans. This leads to general hypothesis that s...

Xylem of stems and roots of three species of Astelia, a monocot with relatively unspecialized xylem, was examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to better understand structural conditions intermediate between tracheids and vessel elements. Both macerations and hand-sectioned material were studied. Tracheary elements of roots of Asteliaceae can be characterized as tracheids, with some d...