Biomedical subjects

G Perbal

Publications and source records attributed to G Perbal.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Graviperception of lentil seedling roots grown in space (Spacelab D1 Mission).

The growth and graviresponsiveness of roots were investigated in lentil seedlings (Lens culinaris L. cv. Verte du Puy) grown (1) in microgravity, (2) on a 1 g centrifuge in space, (3) in microgravity and then placed on the 1 g centrifuge for 3 h, (4) on the ground. Dry seeds were hydrated in space (except for the ground control) and incubated for 25 h at 22 degrees C in darkness. At the end of the experiment, the seedlings were photographed and fixed in glutaraldehyde in a Biorack glove box. Root length was similar for seedlings grown in space and for the ground and the 1 g centrifuge controls. The direction of root growth in the microgravity sample deviated strongly from the initial orientation of the roots of the dry seeds. This deviation could be due to spontaneous curvatures similar to those observed on clinostats. When lentil seedlings were first grown in microgravity for 25 h and then placed on the 1 g centrifuge for 3 h, their roots bent strongly under the effect of the centrifugal acceleration. The amplitude of root curvature on the centrifuge was not significantly different from that observed on ground controls growing in the vertical position and placed in the horizontal position for 3 h. The gravisensitivity of statocytes differentiated in microgravity was similar to that of statocytes differentiated on earth. There were no qualitative differences in the ultrastructural features of the gravisensing cells in microgravity and in the 1 g centrifuge and ground controls. However, the distribution of statoliths in the gravisensing cells was different in microgravity: most of them were observed in the proximal part of these cells. Thus, these organelles were not distributed at random, which is in contradiction with results obtained with clinostats. The distal complex of endoplasmic reticulum in the statocytes was not in contact with the amyloplasts. Contact and pressure of amyloplasts on the tubules were not prerequisites for gravisensing. The results obtained are not in agreement with the hypothesis that the distal endoplasmic reticulum would be the transducer of the action of the statoliths.

Centrifugation↗

PubMed1986

Perception of gravity in the lentil root.

The gravisensing cells (statocytes), responsible for the perception of gravity, are located in the center of the root cap. The statocytes contain voluminous amyloplasts (statoliths) which are capable of moving in the direction of gravity. The sedimentation of the amyloplasts is due to the starch grains, which are much denser than the surrounding cytoplasm. When the starch of these plastids is removed, the statoliths lose their mobility and the roots are no longer able to respond to gravity. When the roots grow in their normal position, the statoliths are sedimented on large aggregates of endoplasmic reticulum. The role of the association between these two types of organelles is still controversial. For some authors, the amyloplast-endoplasmic reticulum complex would play a role in the induction of the gravitropic response. For other authors, this complex would regulate gravitropic curvature and is more likely to be involved in the termination of the response. The goal of the 39F experiment (Biorack) was to dissociate this complex by growing lentil roots in microgravity and to stimulate them on a centrifuge in order to determine if they were still capable of curvature.

Cell Polarity↗

PubMed1986

[Cellular differentiation and proliferation in corn roots grown in microgravity (Biocosmos 1985)].

A cytological study was performed on Maize roots (Zea mays) which were grown in space (flight Biocosmos 1985) and on control roots on earth. Two criteria were selected: cell elongation in the cortical zone in the four mm of the extremity of the root and mitotic activity of the meristem. The results show that in microgravity the length of the meristem is reduced of 1/3 and that its mitotic activity increases of about twofold comparatively to the synchronous control. In parallel the cell differentiation begin closer to the root cap junction. These results are discussed relative to the influence of gravistimulation on cell proliferation and cell differentiation in roots.

Cell Differentiation↗

PubMed1976

[Geoperception in the lentil root cap].

Previous analysis showed that, in its initial phase, the geotropic response of Lens culinaris L. roots cannot be explained by a simple action by sliding, pressure or contact of amyloplasts on a sensitive surface located along the longitudinal wall. In this study another mode of action is tested by considering the following parameters as functions of the roots inclination: (1) the distance (d) which the amyloplasts move; (2) their number of contacts (mean c) with parietal cytoplasm; (3) the variable (sin alpha) of the transversal component of the statolith weight (mean M x g sin alpha). It is shown that the initial rate of curvature (mean V), at the various angles, is related to the sedimentation of the amyloplasts by the equation mean V = a log b mean d mean c sin alpha (where a and b are constants). The results obtained prove that the geotropic stimulation is dependent upon the sine of the angle (alpha) of the root inclination and explain the sine rule deviation. The role of statoliths is discussed in the light of recent literature on growth inhibitors which are involved in the geotropic reaction.

Fabaceae↗