Embryogenesis in Flowering Plants

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on Embryogenesis in Flowering Plants.

What is the key structural difference between plant and animal cells that influences their developmental strategies?

The cell wall.

Name a common model organism used to study embryogenesis in flowering plants.

Arabidopsis.

What are the stages of embryogenesis in flowering plants?

Globular, Heart, Torpedo, Mature.

What does the term 'meristematic development' refer to?

It leads to a modular, re-iterative body plan.

How do cell walls contribute to plant tissue patterns?

They make physical fate maps.

What are the two axes established during embryogenesis?

Radial and longitudinal axes.

What role do mutants play in the study of development?

They are used to study and investigate gene functions.

What are cotyledons?

They are the first leaves developed by the embryo of a seed plant.

Describe the function of the shoot apical meristem.

It is responsible for producing new leaves and flowers.

What is the significance of asymmetric cytokinesis in embryonic development?

It establishes cell fate by creating different sized daughter cells.

What does the term 'positional information' mean in the context of embryogenesis?

It refers to the signals that determine the location and fate of cells.

What is implied by the term 'embryogenic callus'?

It refers to a mass of undifferentiated cells that can give rise to various tissues.

What happens if the protoderm differentiation is disrupted?

It can result in abnormal cell division and spatial organization in the embryo.

What is the impact of maternal tissue on the basal cell during embryogenesis?

It provides positional information that directs development.

List two molecular markers associated with the protoderm in Arabidopsis.

ATML1 and factors revealed by mutant analysis.

How does radial patterning affect embryonic development?

It determines the symmetry and cell fate within plant tissues.

What does SHRT (shortroot) influence during root development?

It is necessary for endodermis specification.

What is the relationship between SCR (scarecrow) and asymmetric cell division?

SCR is required for asymmetric cell division but not for cell fate determination.

In embryogenesis, what defines the longitudinal axis?

It involves apical meristem, cotyledon, and vascular tissue differentiation.

What experimental approach is used to investigate the role of genes in root development?

Mutation analysis.

What is meant by 'continuous embryogenesis' in plants?

It refers to the ongoing process of differentiation and growth occurring in meristems.