The Meristematic Character of Aleurone Cells in Barley Endosperm as Reflected in Scanning Electron Micrographs

Abstract

Using a new preparation procedure-the breakage of frozen barley caryopses by a hammer stroke followed by freeze-drying and sputtering-we got samplees for scanning electron microscopic investigations with breaking-lines along the wall structures of endosperm and aleurone cells. In the aleurone layer we found cells which probably perform a division. The position of cell rows and also the sharpe of cells in the subsequent starchy endosperm suggests a possible meristematic function of the aleurone cells which would give an explanation for increase of the cell number also in the late phase of seed maturation