Getting physical: invasive growth events during plant development.

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Cellular Biology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Plant cells are structurally integrated by rigid cell walls, limiting cell neighbor changes.
• Invasive growth events are crucial for plant development and integrate environmental/developmental signals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cellular mechanisms enabling invasive growth in plants.
• To identify key chemical and biophysical factors facilitating invasive growth events.

Main Methods:

• Review of cellular processes in lateral root emergence.
• Analysis of pollen tube growth through stigma and style.
• Examination of embryo expansion through the endosperm.

Main Results:

• Invasive growth involves regulated water fluxes and cell turgor.
• Cell wall modifications, including cell separation, are critical.
• Programmed cell death contributes to space creation for growth.

Conclusions:

• Coordinated regulation of turgor, cell wall dynamics, and cell death permits invasive growth.
• Specific chemical and biophysical environments are essential for these developmental processes.