Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
08:31
Kinematic Analysis of Cell Division and Expansion: Quantifying the Cellular Basis of Growth and Sampling Developmental Zones in Zea mays Leaves
Published on: December 2, 2016
Leaf size control: complex coordination of cell division and expansion
Nathalie Gonzalez1, Hannes Vanhaeren, Dirk Inzé
1Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Gent, Belgium.
Trends in Plant Science
|March 10, 2012
Summary
Understanding plant organ size control is crucial. This review explores the complex interplay of cell division and expansion, highlighting genetic networks governing leaf growth for future research.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Multicellular organism size control is a complex, unresolved biological question.
- Plant organ development involves intricate coordination of cell division and cell expansion.
- Understanding plant growth is vital for food security and renewable energy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on cellular and molecular mechanisms of leaf organ size control.
- To discuss future research directions in plant organ size regulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on plant growth and organ development.
- Analysis of genetic networks influencing cell division and expansion.
- Synthesis of current understanding and identification of research gaps.
Main Results:
- Leaf organ size is regulated by a complex interplay between cell division and cell expansion.
- Genetic networks orchestrate these processes, but their full complexity is still being uncovered.
- Significant progress has been made, yet many questions remain regarding precise size control.
Conclusions:
- Further research into genetic networks is essential for a comprehensive understanding of plant organ size regulation.
- Dissecting these mechanisms is a high priority in plant science globally.
- Future studies should focus on integrating cellular and molecular insights for effective organ size control strategies.
Related Concept Videos
02:36Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
02:36Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
01:22Enlargement of the Plasma Membrane
Cell division and enlargement are processes that require precise control. The control ensures that cell division cannot proceed unless the cell has grown to a specific size. A spherical, dividing cell requires an approximately 1.6X increase in its surface area to double its volume. The secretory pathway also has a significant role in cell membrane enlargement. Secretory vesicles that bud off from the Golgi apparatus and later fuse with the plasma membrane during exocytosis are a major source of...
02:13Determining the Plane of Cell Division
Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
02:13Determining the Plane of Cell Division
Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
01:59The Phragmoplast
Cell division is essential for organismal growth and development. In animal cells, the central spindle and its associated proteins form the midbody, a structure that has an essential role in cytokinesis. In plants, the central spindle, along with the microtubules, actin, and other cell components, matures into the phragmoplast, which is necessary for cytokinesis. Unlike the stationary midbody, the phragmoplast expands centrifugally, eventually leading to the formation of the new cell wall.
The...
The...