Further observations on cell-wall formation around isolated protoplasts of tobacco and tomato

Freeze-etch observations of protoplasts isolated from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) mesophyll tissue and tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) fruit locule tissue are described which clarify earlier observations (Burgess, J., Fleming, E.N., Planta 131, 173-178, 1976; Planta 133, 267-273, 1977), obtained using scanning electron microscopy. of "fibres" associated with "projections" from these cell surfaces. It is demonstrated (1) that the "fibres" consist of bundles of small numbers of microfibrils which have become artifactually thickened by the deposition of coating materials, and (2) that the apparent association between "fibres" and "projections" results from microfibrils being lifted preferentially from protoplast surfaces in regions rich in "projections" (plasmalemmasomes). With the higher resolution available using freeze-etching it can be demonstrated that microfibril deposition does not occur in discontinuous zones on these protoplast surfaces. Globules associated with microfibril termini in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) roots are illustrated and it is proposed that turgor pressure differences between isolated protoplasts and intact tissue may account for the absence of similar globules from isolated protoplast surfaces.