Mechanics as an aid to interpreting pollen structure and function

Bolick, M. R.

doi:10.1016/0034-6667(81)90014-2

Cited by 42 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The rather thick columellae offer a good protection against compressive forces (Bolick 1978(Bolick , 1981. In the spinular areas, the absence of the connected basal region of the columellae, the frequent presence of enlarged caveae, and the great development of the columellar interstices allow easy communication between the pollen surface and the caveae facilitating the exchanges of water and physiologically active substances.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A contribution to the ultrastructural knowledge of the pollen exine in subtribe Inulinae (Inuleae, Asteraceae)

Coutinho

Dinis

2007

Plant Syst. Evol.

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Abstract. To better understand the relationships within the Asteroideae and Inuleae, the structure of the pollen exine was investigated in seven genera and nine species of the subtribe Inulinae using LM, TEM and SEM. All taxa have a senecioid pattern of exine. The tectal complex consists of three main layers that differ in thickness and morphology: a tectum, a columellar layer, and a layer consisting of the basal region of the columellae. The absence or the vestigial condition of the foramina is considered as a plesiomorphy within the Asteroideae. All taxa have a complex apertural system that consists of an ecto-, a meso-, and an endoaperture. These apertures intersect respectively the tectal complex, the foot layer and the upper part of the endexine, and the inner layer of the endexine. A continuous transition among the different species of Inulinae was found for all the quantitative characters examined. This relative homogeneity of the pollen morphological characters enhances the naturality of the subtribe Inulinae.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A contribution to the ultrastructural knowledge of the pollen exine in subtribe Inulinae (Inuleae, Asteraceae)

Coutinho

Dinis

2007

Plant Syst. Evol.

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“…In view of the presumed advantages of columellae in absorbing mechanical stresses in the exine (Bollick 1981), it is interesting to consider what adaptive factors might have led to a shift from columellar to granular structure. In Fagales, in the core eudicots, the shift seems related to reduction of exine thickness in response to wind pollination; in Laurales it is linked with even more drastic pollen reduction, but in plants that are insect pollinated.…”

Section: Eumagnoliids and Eudicotsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early evolution of angiosperm pollen as inferred from molecular and morphological phylogenetic analyses

Doyle¹

2005

Grana

110

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“…1 E and F). The importance of wall structure in guiding harmomegathy was recognized as early as 1883 (8), and although more recent work has reinforced this idea (5,9,10), there is still no theory to support the many claims about the function of the pollen wall as a harmomegathic apparatus. Here, we provide a first detailed quantitative analysis of the structure-function relationship for pollen harmomegathy.…”

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confidence: 99%

Foldable structures and the natural design of pollen grains

Katifori

Alben

Cerda

et al. 2010

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

268

247

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Upon release from the anther, pollen grains of angiosperm flowers are exposed to a dry environment and dehydrate. To survive this process, pollen grains possess a variety of physiological and structural adaptations. Perhaps the most striking of these adaptations is the ability of the pollen wall to fold onto itself to prevent further desiccation. Roger P. Wodehouse coined the term harmomegathy for this folding process in recognition of the critical role it plays in the survival of the pollen grain. There is still, however, no quantitative theory that explains how the structure of the pollen wall contributes to harmomegathy. Here we demonstrate that simple geometrical and mechanical principles explain how wall structure guides pollen grains toward distinct folding pathways. We found that the presence of axially elongated apertures of high compliance is critical for achieving a predictable and reversible folding pattern. Moreover, the intricate sculpturing of the wall assists pollen closure by preventing mirror buckling of the surface. These results constitute quantitative structure-function relationships for pollen harmomegathy and provide a framework to elucidate the functional significance of the very diverse pollen morphologies observed in angiosperms.harmomegathy | inextensional deformation | thin shell theory | elasticity

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Mechanics as an aid to interpreting pollen structure and function

Cited by 42 publications

References 27 publications

A contribution to the ultrastructural knowledge of the pollen exine in subtribe Inulinae (Inuleae, Asteraceae)

A contribution to the ultrastructural knowledge of the pollen exine in subtribe Inulinae (Inuleae, Asteraceae)

Early evolution of angiosperm pollen as inferred from molecular and morphological phylogenetic analyses

Foldable structures and the natural design of pollen grains

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