What happened?
Researchers discovered a significant aspect of plant structure that evolved over hundreds of millions of years: the secondary cell walls (SCWs) in plants. These walls are crucial because they give plants the strength to grow tall and transport water from roots to leaves. The SCWs are made of tiny fibers, called macrofibrils, which vary in size between different types of plants.
In simpler terms, think of macrofibrils like the fibers in a piece of fabric. In some plants, these fibers are thicker, while in others, they are thinner. This difference can affect how strong the plant is and how well it can transport water.
The research found that most flowering plants (angiosperms) have thinner macrofibrils, while non-flowering plants like conifers (gymnosperms) have thicker ones. However, some plants show intermediate sizes, hinting at interesting evolutionary steps.
Who/Where/When?
The research was conducted by scientists from the University of Cambridge, specifically involving material collected at the Cambridge Botanic Garden. The detailed study and findings were published in 2023. The researchers used advanced imaging techniques to analyze the structure of plant cell walls, particularly focusing on the differences in macrofibril sizes between various plant species.
How does it benefit humanity?
- Better Wood Products: Understanding the structure of SCWs can help us develop stronger, more durable wood for construction and other uses.
- Carbon Storage: Plants store carbon in their cell walls. By knowing how these structures work, we can enhance carbon storage in forests, helping to combat climate change.
- Improved Reforestation: With this knowledge, we can select or engineer trees that grow better in certain conditions or store more carbon, making reforestation efforts more effective.
In short, this research gives us tools to improve plant-based resources and fight climate change.
Disclaimer: This content was simplified and condensed using AI technology to enhance readability and brevity.
Article derived from: J. Lyczakowski, J., & Wightman, R. (2024, July 30). Convergent and adaptive evolution drove change of secondary cell wall ultrastructure in extant lineages of seed plants. New Phytologist. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.19983
