Abstract Detail
The Power of Movement in Plants Hangarter, Roger [1]. Gravitropism and the development of plant form. Darwin pointed out that “Under the influence of gravitation certain [plant] parts are excited to place themselves more or less transversely to the line of its action”. However, because of the ease of working with young seedlings and their vertical gravity responses, most research on gravitropism has focused on primary roots and shoots. This research has provided tremendous insight into the molecular components controlling tropistic responses of primary roots and shoots. Yet, the bulk of a plant consists of lateral organs that do not grow parallel to the gravity vector. Using Arabidopsis as a model, we found that lateral organs are capable of both positive and negative gravitropism consistent with the notion that organ orientation is determined by the developmentally contingent gravitropic set-point angle (GSA). Arabidopsis mutants were identified that have altered orientations of lateral organs while maintaining the normal gravitropic vertical orientation of the primary organs. These mutants have been tentatively named mgsa mutants, for their modified gravitropic set-point angle. Our analyses of the mgsa mutants show that many aspects of plant architecture are strongly influenced by developmentally regulated changes in the gravitropic responses of the lateral parts of a plant.
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Related Links:
Hangarter research overview
Plants-In-Motion: time-lapse movies of plants
sLowife - companion site to traveling exhibit about plants
1 - Indiana University, Biology, 915 East Third Street, Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, USA
Keywords:
gravitropism
plant growth and development
Arabidopsis.
Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY1
Location: Ballroom 2/Cliff Lodge - Level B
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2009
Time: 10:15 AM
Number: SY1005
Abstract ID:1170 | 
