Stereology in Seed Development Studies: Some Preliminary Work

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Abstract
The application of morphometric stereology to the quantitative analysis of subcellular structural changes in plant tissues is discussed and some preliminary morphometric studies on developing cotyledons of Phaseolus vulgaris presented. Surface areas and surface-to-volume ratios of vacuoles and rough endoplasmic reticulum were measured; there is a sudden increase in the surface-to-volume ratio of rough endoplasmic reticulum immediately before it begins to increase in area. The results are discussed in relation to the movement of reserve protein within the cell.