Skip to main content
Log in

Architecture of the cell wall of a green alga,Oocystis apiculata

  • Published:
Protoplasma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The cell wall of a green alga,Oocystis apiculata, was visualized by electron microscopy after preparation of samples by rapid-freezing and deep-etching techniques. The extracellular spaces clearly showed a random network of dense fibrils of approximately 6.4 nm in diameter. The cell wall was composed of three distinct layers: an outer layer with a smooth appearance and many protuberances on its outermost surface; a middle layer with criss-crossed cellulose microfibrils of approximately 15–17 nm in diameter; and an inner layer with many pores between anastomosing fibers of 8–10 nm in diameter. Both the outer and the inner layer seemed to be composed of amorphous material. Cross-bridges of approximately 4.2 nm in diameter were visualized between adjacent microfibrils by the same techniques. The cross-bridges were easily distinguished from cellulose microfibrils by differences in their dimensions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albersheim P (1975) The walls of growing plant cells. Scient Amer 232: 80–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown RM Jr, Montezinos D (1976) Cellulose microfibrils: visualization of biosynthetic and orienting complexes in association with the plasma membrane. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 73: 143–147

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodenough UW, Heuser JE (1985) TheChlamydomonas cell wall and its constituent glycoproteins analyzed by the quick-freeze, deep-etch technique. J Cell Biol 101: 1550–1568

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heuser JE, Salpeter SR (1979) Organization of acetylcholine receptors in quick-frozen, deep-etched, and rotary-replicated “torpedo” postsynaptic membrane. J Cell Biol 82: 150–173

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —, Reese TS, Dennis MJ, Jan Y, Jan L, Evans L (1979) Synaptic vesicle exocytosis captured by quick freezing and correlated with quantal transmitter release. J Cell Biol 81: 275–300

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Itoh T, Ogawa T (1993) Molecular architecture of the cell wall of poplar suspension-cultured cells revealed by rapid-freezing and deep-etching techniques. Plant Cell Physiol 34: 1187–1196

    Google Scholar 

  • McCann MC, Wells B Roberts K (1990) Direct visualization of crosslinks in the primary plant cell wall. J Cell Sci 96: 323–334

    Google Scholar 

  • Montezinos D (1982) A cytological model of cellulose biogenesis in the algaOocystis apiculata. In: Brown RM Jr (ed) Cellulose and other natural polymer systems. Plenum, New York, pp 3–21

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Brown RM Jr (1979) Cell wall biosynthesis inOocystis: experimental alteration of microfibril assembly and orientation. Cytobios 23: 119–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Quader H, Robinson DG (1981)Oocystis solitaria: a model organism for understanding the organization of cellulose synthesis. Ber Deutsch Bot Ges 94: S. 75–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson DG, Preston FRS (1972) Plasmalemma structure in relation to microfibril biosynthesis inOocystis. Planta 104: 234–246

    Google Scholar 

  • —, White RK (1972) The fine structure ofOocystis apiculata W. West with particular reference to the wall. Br Phycol J 7: 109–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs H, Grimm I, Robinson DG (1976) Structure, synthesis and orientation of microfibrils. I. Architecture and development of the wall ofOocystis solitaria. Cytobiologie 14: 49–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Satiat-Jeunemaitre B, Martin B, Hawes C (1992) Plant cell wall architecture is revealed by rapid-freezing and deep-etching. Protoplasma 167: 33–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Willison JH, Brown RM Jr (1978) Cell wall structure and deposition inGlaucocystis. J Cell Biol 77: 103–119

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fujino, T., Itoh, T. Architecture of the cell wall of a green alga,Oocystis apiculata . Protoplasma 180, 39–48 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01379222

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01379222

Keywords

Navigation