Repository logo
 
Publication

Gametophyte interaction and sexual reproduction: how plants make a zygote

2005Journal article Open access
Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorBoavida, L.C.
dc.contributor.authorVieira, A.M.
dc.contributor.authorBecker, J.D.
dc.contributor.authorFeijó, J.A.
dc.date.accessioned2010-03-18T16:02:21Z
dc.date.available2010-03-18T16:02:21Z
dc.date.issued2005
dc.description.abstractThe evolutionary success of higher plants relies on a very short gametophytic phase, which underlies the sexual reproduction cycle. Sexual plant reproduction takes place in special organs of the flower: pollen, the male gametophyte, is released from the anthers and then adheres, grows and interacts along various tissues of the female organs, collectively known as the pistil. Finally, it fertilizes the female gametophyte, the embryo sac. Pollen is released as bi or tricellular, highly de-hydrated and presumably containing all the biochemical components and transcripts to germinate. Upon hydration on the female tissues, it develops a cytoplasmic extension, the pollen tube, which is one of the fastest growing cells in nature. Pollen is completely "ready-to-go", but despite this seemingly simple reaction, very complex interactions take place with the female tissues. In higher animals, genetic mechanisms for sex determination establish striking developmental differences between males and females. In contrast, most higher plant species develop both male and female structures within the same flower, allowing self-fertilization. Outcrossing is ensured by self-incompatibility mechanisms, which evolved under precise genetic control, controlling self-recognition and cell-to-cell interaction. Equally important is pollen selection along the female tissues, where interactions between different cell types with inherent signalling properties correspond to check-points to ensure fertilization. Last but not least, pollen-pistil interaction occurs in a way that enables the correct targeting of the pollen tubes to the receptive ovules. In this review, we cover the basic mechanisms underlying sexual plant reproduction, from the structural and cellular determinants, to the most recent genetic advances.pt
dc.identifier.citationBoavida, Leonor C, Vieira, Ana Maria, Becker, JD, Feijó, José A (2005). Gametophyte e interaction and sexual reproduction: how plants make a zygote. Int. J. Dev. Biol. 49: 615-632 (2005)pt
dc.identifier.issn0214-6282
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.7/71
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.052023lb
dc.language.isoengpt
dc.publisherUBCPresspt
dc.subjectPollen tubept
dc.subjectPlants/growth & developmentpt
dc.subjectSexual plant reproduction
dc.subjectPollen-stigma interaction
dc.subjectFertilization
dc.titleGametophyte interaction and sexual reproduction: how plants make a zygotept
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.endPage632pt
oaire.citation.startPage615pt
oaire.citation.titleInternational Journal of Developmental Biologypt
rcaap.rightsopenAccesspt
rcaap.typearticlept

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Boavida et al, International Journal of Developmental Biology 2005a.pdf
Size:
1.07 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.79 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

PG - Artigos