Related Concept Videos
02:26Responses to Gravity and Touch
34.5K
Gravitropism: Plant Responses to Gravity
34.5K
02:40Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
12.9K
Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the...
12.9K
02:03Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources
23.4K
The xylem of vascular plants distributes water and dissolved minerals that are taken up by the roots to the rest of the plant. The cells that transport xylem sap are dead upon maturity, and the movement of xylem sap is a passive process.
23.4K
02:34Water and Mineral Acquisition
30.2K
Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.
30.2K
00:53Tonicity in Plants
53.0K
Tonicity describes the capacity of a cell to lose or gain water. It depends on the quantity of solute that does not penetrate the membrane. Tonicity delimits the magnitude and direction of osmosis and results in three possible scenarios that alter the volume of a cell: hypertonicity, hypotonicity, and isotonicity. Due to differences in structure and physiology, tonicity of plant cells is different from that of animal cells in some scenarios.
53.0K
02:41Responses to Drought and Flooding
10.6K
Water plays a significant role in the life cycle of plants. However, insufficient or excess of water can be detrimental and pose a serious threat to plants.
10.6K
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
Sort by
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2025
11:30
Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus nidulans Growth Rate using Live Microscopy and Open-Source Software
Published on: July 24, 2021
3.7K
Physical forces supporting hyphal growth.
1Department of Biology and Western Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B
|January 26, 2025
Summary
Fungal hyphae grow through internal pressure, allowing cell walls to expand and cytoplasm to flow, driving invasive growth. Understanding hyphal mechanics is key to biophysical studies in fungi.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Fungal hyphae are viscoelastic tubes.
- Internal turgor pressure drives cell membrane expansion against the cell wall.
- Catalytic yielding of the cell wall enables growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the experimental basis for hyphal mechanics.
- To explain the significance of biophysical studies on fungi and water molds.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental data on hyphal growth.
- Analysis of the relationship between turgor pressure and cell wall expansion.
- Examination of cytoplasmic flow dynamics.
Main Results:
- Hyphal extension is regulated by internal pressure and cell wall properties.
- Turgor pressure gradients drive cytoplasmic flow towards the growing tip.
- Hyphal mechanics directly influence the force exerted during invasive growth.
Conclusions:
- Hyphal growth is a complex process involving viscoelasticity, turgor pressure, and cell wall dynamics.
- Biophysical insights into hyphal mechanics are crucial for understanding fungal biology and invasive strategies.
- This work highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in mycology.