Stomatal Density in Cotyledons Grown in Elevated [CO2]
Stomata are microscopic pores that form on any green part of the plant, especially on the underside surface of leaves, and play a vital role in the development of megaphyll leaves. Stomata are responsible for gas exchange and water transpiration. Their aperture and number regulate the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) diffusion and water transpiration. Environmental factors such as atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and light intensity control the development of stomata on plants. A plant's cotyledons are products of the parental plant. Therefore, their stomatal density theoretically reflects the atmospheric conditions present during parental plant growth. Research also shows that with an increase in atmospheric CO2, stomatal densities decrease. We posed the question: do cotyledons formed at elevated CO2 "remember" that growth CO2 concentration, therefore reflect the stomatal density of the parental plant? Arabidopsis thaliana (Ler accession) was grown at elevated [CO2] and seeds were collected. Those seeds were germinated and plants were grown at ambient [CO2] in order to test if the stomatal density of cotyledons reflected an elevated [CO2] atmosphere. Results indicated that stomatal density of cotyledons in F1 plants grown in ambient [CO2], which were seeds grown in elevated [CO2], did not reflect stomatal densities of cotyledons of parental plant.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Research Advisor:
Elizabeth A. Ainsworth
Department of Research Advisor:
Plant Biology
Year of Publication:
2007