Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 13, 2026
09:23
Lateral Root Inducible System in Arabidopsis and Maize
Published on: January 14, 2016
14.7K
Lateral root initiation in Arabidopsis thaliana: a force awakens
Joop E M Vermeer1, Niko Geldner1
1Department of Plant Molecular Biology, Biophore Building, UNIL-Sorge, University of Lausanne 1015 Lausanne Switzerland.
F1000Prime Reports
|May 1, 2015
Summary
Plant cell turgor pressure drives growth and shape changes, requiring unique mechanisms for organ formation. Understanding how mechanical forces and cell communication regulate lateral root development is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Cellular Mechanics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Plant cell turgor pressure exerts significant forces on cell walls, influencing cell growth and shape.
- Organ formation in plants involves unique mechanisms distinct from metazoans, driven by cellular forces.
- The interplay between mechanical forces and cellular reorganization in plant development is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mechanical forces and intercellular communication in regulating spatial accommodation during plant development.
- To elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying lateral root development, focusing on cell-environment interactions.
- To understand how neighboring cells manage mechanical forces during the growth of lateral roots through root tissues.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies on lateral root growth dynamics.
- Genetic manipulation to interfere with endodermal accommodating responses.
- Analysis of cell proliferation in the pericycle in response to genetic modifications.
Main Results:
- Endodermal cells actively accommodate lateral root formation.
- Genetic interference with endodermal accommodation completely blocks pericycle cell proliferation.
- Lateral root growth involves significant mechanical forces and requires intercellular communication for spatial accommodation.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical forces and intercellular communication are critical regulators of spatial accommodation during plant development.
- The endodermis plays an active role in facilitating lateral root emergence.
- Disruption of cellular accommodation mechanisms in the endodermis severely impacts lateral root initiation and growth.
Related Concept Videos
03:02Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots
62.3K
Vascular plants, which account for over 90% of the Earth’s vegetation, all undergo primary growth—which lengthens roots and shoots. Many land plants, notably woody plants, also undergo secondary growth—which thickens roots and shoots.
62.3K
02:26Responses to Gravity and Touch
42.5K
Gravitropism: Plant Responses to Gravity
42.5K
01:25Cell Signaling in Plants
7.1K
Plant cells communicate to coordinate their cycle of growth, flowering and fruiting, and activities in roots, shoots, and leaves in response to the changing environmental conditions. Plant signaling is distinct from animal signaling. Plants primarily utilize enzyme-linked receptors, whereas the largest class of cell-surface receptors in animals are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Unlike animals, receptor tyrosine kinases are rare in plants. Instead, plants have a diverse class of...
7.1K