Ultrastructural and Cytochemical Studies of ‘Air Blisters’ in Pilea cadierei Gagnep. and Guillaumin

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Abstract
Cells from the sub-epidermal layer of Pilea cadierei prepared for electron microscopy using standard fixation and embedding procedures appear extremely osmiophilic, with the organelles standing out in negative relief. However, when tissues were fixed in glutaraldehyde supplemented with either procaine or caffeine (substances known to complex with phenols) the osmiophilic material was generally limited to the vacuole. After procaine or caffeine fixation the surrounding cytoplasm appeared as in adjacent, nonphenolic cells. Some small aggregates of phenolic material appear in the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticular, indicating these organelles may be involved in either the synthesis or transport of phenolics in Pilea. Since one of the major functions of phenolics is in light-screening, air blisters may serve to screen out damaging radiation from the underlying tissue. The presence of typical shade-type plastids in Pilea air blisters is a further indication of this light-screening role.

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