Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Studying Cell Death Initiation Using a Digital Microscope
Published on: November 10, 2023
Role of death in providing lifeline to plants
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK. preeti.dahiya@bbsrc.ac.uk
Abstract:
As the major transporters and distributors of water and minerals, xylem vessels and tracheids are the lifeline of plants. Interestingly, the building blocks of these water pipes are dead tracheary elements and vessel elements that have the process of cell death integrated into their differentiation programme. Using the Zinnia in vitro model system for xylogenesis, a key nuclease that is responsible for nuclear degradation during the terminal stages of tracheary element differentiation has been identified recently.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Overview of Cell Death
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Water and Mineral Acquisition
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata

