Specific Features of the Ultrastructure and Biochemical Composition of Triticum spelta L. Leaf Mesophile Cells in the Initial Period of Stress Temperature Action

Abstract

Under controlled conditions, the effect of high (40°C, 2 h) and positive low (4°C, 2 h) temperatures on the ultrastructure of mesophyll cells of the leaf and the content of photosynthetic pigments, phenols, and flavonoids in 2-week-old Triticum spelta plants was studied. The ultrastructure of the mesophyll cells of the leaf of the control plants was typical: a developed thylakoid system was clearly seen that was immersed in a fine-grained stroma in the chloroplasts of regular lenticular shape. Short-term hyperthermia caused a partial destruction of thylakoid membranes. Wave-shaped packing of grana thylakoids, significant expansion of lumen intervals, disturbance of the structural bond between the grana thylacoids and stroma thylakoids was noted. With hyperthermia, the mitochondria noticeably “swelled,” while the cristae membranes became less contrasting. The number of lipid droplets increased in the cytoplasm of cells. In the leaves, the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids decreased, however, the number of common phenols and flavonoids increased. Short-term hypothermia caused intense formation of plastoglobules, and an increase in the number and size of starch grains. Destruction of thylakoid membranes was not observed. Some of the mitochondria were rounded (40%), with their size being close to the control values, and some organelles were lenticular, “dumbbell,” and “cup-shaped.” Under hyper- and hypothermia, the T. spelta leaf mesophyll cells showed a tendency to increase the degree of chromatin condensation in the nucleus. Under hypothermia, the content and ratio of chlorophylls and carotenoids in leaves did not differ much from the control plants, and no significant quantitative changes in the total phenols and flavonoids were recorded.