Influence of noncontractile motion of plasmalemma upon cotton fiber cell wall structure

Abstract

Unusual noncontractile motion in vivo within the fibers growing on cotton ovules was found for four cotton genotypes. Structural investigations have shown that, in addition to the active motion related to fiber cell growth, a simultaneous spiral rotation of the cytoplasmic membrane occurs. Due to translational growth of the fiber cell apices and spiral rotation of plasmalemma, the fibers of cotton cultivars take on a twisted, corkscrew-like external shape. Optical microphotos illustrate the formation process of the fiber cell wall at different stages of growth and noncontractile motion in cotton fiber cells.