• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.329-337
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• 2002

The morphology and cellular characteristics of adventitious roots, viz aerial roots, in the epiphytic American Ivy were examined to reveal structural changes of the aerial root upon surface attachment. Immature aerial roots were composed of parenchyma cells with dense cytoplasm containing plastids, however, the upper and lower epidermis were not distinguished. At early development, electron-dense substances (EDS) were constituents of much of the aerial root tissue, but the distribution of EDS varied within the tissue. The deposits appeared most concentrated in the superficial cell layers, with lesser amounts in cell layers closer to the cortex. Electron micrographs revealed that EDS deposits were always found in the vacuole, and were mainly associated with the tonoplast. While most of them occurred in the vacuole as small spherical deposits adjacent to the tonoplast, some deposits were oddly shaped or larger in size. Many of the vacuoles eventually filled with EDS, but the EDS content in those vacuoles decreased substantially after initial attachment to the surface. When the vacuoles became almost empty, cells near the epidermis already exhibited irregularity in outline. Subsequent breakdown of cellular components took place in the cells while they were still attached to the surface. This study suggests the potential role of EDS as substances involved in the surface attachment of the plant, however, further studies must be conducted to reveal the nature of EDS and the effects of EDS storage within these vacuoles.