Applied Microscopy

Korean Society of Microscopy (한국현미경학회)
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Epidermal Features of the Nelumbo nucifera Tissues and Lotus Effect

연꽃식물 조직의 표피 특성과 연잎효과

  • Kim, In-Sun (Biology Department, College of Natural Sciences, Keimyung University)
  • 김인선 (계명대학교 자연과학대학 생물학과)
  • Received : 2012.06.12
  • Accepted : 2012.06.26
  • Published : 2012.06.30
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Abstract

The cell surface sculpture of the plant epidermis has received great interest recently. It has also been an active area of research, as the biological microstructures of the surface, such as papillae and waxes, exhibit several unique properties, including self-cleaning character; namely the "Lotus effect" first described in the leaves of the lotus, Nelumbo nucifera. The Lotus effect is the phenomenon in which the super-hydrophobic and water-repellent nature of lotus leaves allow water drops to run off easily on the surface in a rolling and sliding motion thereby facilitating the removal of dirt particles. It is well-known that surface roughness on the micro- and nanoscale is a primary characteristic allowing for the Lotus effect. This effect is common among plants and is of great technological importance, since it can be applied industrially in numerous fields. In the present study, Nelumbo nucifera leaf and stem epidermal surfaces have been examined with a focus on the features of papillae and wax crystalloids. Both young and mature Nelumbo nucifera leaf epidermis demonstrated the Lotus effect on their entire epidermal surface. The central area of the upper epidermis, in particular, formed extremely papillose surfaces, with an additional wax layer, enabling greater water repellency. Despite the presence of wax crystalloids, epidermal surfaces of the lower leaf and stem lacking papillae, were much more easily wetted.

연잎효과는 연꽃의 잎에서 규명된 현상으로 표피세포에서 기원하는 미세구조에 의해 물방울이 잎 표면이나 내부조직에 침투하지 않고 경사면으로 흘러내리며 표면 위 먼지나 이물질을 함께 떨어지게 한다. 잎 표면을 항상 깨끗한 상태로 유지하는 자기정화 능력인 연잎효과에 대해서는 여러 영역에서 연구되고 다방면으로 응용되고 있으나 구조적인 측면에서 연잎을 생장단계별 또는 표피조직 부위별로 비교 조사한 연구는 거의 없는 실정이다. 이에 본 연구에서는 연잎과 줄기를 대상으로 생장단계별, 부위별 표피조직의 미세 표면구조를 연구하여 연잎효과 표면 특성을 조사하였다. 본 연구에서 조사된 연잎효과는 미세돌기와 왁스결정체가 발달한 잎의 상피조직에서만 나타나고, 왁스결정체만 발달한 하피 및 줄기의 표피조직에서는 확인되지 않았다. 이는 미세돌기의 발달이 연잎효과를 나타내는데 가장 중요한 요인이고, 왁스결정체가 돌기표면 위에 축적되면 연잎효과는 더 증가하는 것으로 밝혀졌다.

Keywords

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