Z. Ponya et al., Morphological characterisation of wheat (T-aestivum L.) egg cell protoplasts isolated from immature and overaged caryopses, SEX PLANT R, 11(6), 1999, pp. 357-359
The morphological features and fine structure of wheat egg cell protoplasts
isolated from premature (3 days prior to anthesis) and overaged (12 days a
fter anthesis) caryopses were compared. Except for shape, the young egg cel
l protoplast showed the same morphological characteristics as the egg cell
in planta at the time of anthesis. Young and adult egg cell protoplasts wer
e spherical in shape. Polarity could not be identified exactly with the met
hods used. During aging, the egg cell increased considerably in volume. The
adult egg showed the typical features (membrane blebbing, autophagous vacu
oles) of programmed cell death. It appears that after a long life-span (abo
ut18 days) cells of the female gametophyte undergo apoptosis.