Abstract
Investigations of the longitudinal distribution of the extensibility of staminal filaments of the common thistle (Cirsium horridulum Michx.) showed that the base of the filaments (attachment to corolla) is almost twice as elastic as the apical portion (next to anthers). Boiling leads to a more uniform distribution of extensibility. Using a stress-strain analyzer we investigated the elastic properties of fresh, water-boiled, partially hydrolyzed (acid-boiled), and dehydrated filaments. Stress-strain curves of sinusoidally stretched sets of filaments revealed complex, non-linear behavior with an average modulus of elasticity of 5 MPa·m−2. The phase angle varied from approximately 18 degrees for 0.01-Hz deformations to 84 degrees at 2 Hz, indicating strong viscoelastic components. The viscoelasticity of the filaments indicates that the cell walls have a high ratio of pectin to cellulose. Boiling does not affect Young's modulus, but dehydration does. The technique of applying sinusoidal loads and the analysis of the stress-strain curves proves useful for the assessment of mechanical properties of cell walls, especially for non-growing or contractile tissues.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beusmans, J.M.H., Silk, W.K. (1988) Mechanical properties within the growth zone of corn roots investigated by bending experiments II. distribution of modulus and compliance in bending. Am. J. Bot. 75, 996–1002
Cleland, R.E. (1971) Cell wall extension. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 22, 197–222
Cleland, R.E. (1967) Extensibility of isolated cell walls: Measurement and changes during cell elongation. Planta 74, 197–209
Cosgrove, D.J. (1986) Cell wall extension. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 37, 377–405
Fujihara, S., Yamamoto, R., Masuda, Y. (1978) Viscoelastic properties of plant cell walls III. Hysteresis loop in the stress-strain curve at constant strain rate. Biorheology 15, 87–97
Hohl, M., Schopfer, P. (1992) Physical extensibility of maize coleoptile cell walls — apparent plastic extensibility is due to elastic hysteresis. Planta 187, 498–504
Kabsch, W. (1861) Anatomische und physiologische Beobachtun-gen über die Reizbarkeit der Geschlechtsorgane. Botan. Zeitung, Leipzig, pp. 25 and 33. As quoted in Small, Planta.
Nielsen, L.E. (1974) Mechanical properties of polymers and composites (vol. 1). Marcell Dekker, Inc., New York
Pesacreta, T.C., Sullivan, V.I., Hasenstein, K.H., Durand, J.M. (1991) Thigmonasticity of thistle staminal filaments. I. Involvement of a contractile cuticle. Protoplasma 163, 174–180
Pfeffer, W. (1906) The physiology of plants, vol.3, p. 71, English Trans., Oxford Press, UK
Satter, R.L., Gorton, H.L., Vogelmann, T.C. (1990) The pulvinus: motor organ for leaf movement. Current topics in plant physiology, vol. 3. American Society of Plant Physiologists, Rockville, Maryland
Silk, W.K., Wang, L.L., Cleland, R.E. (1982) Mechanical properties of the rice panicle. Plant Physiol. 70, 460–464
Small, J. (1917) The origin and development of the Compositae. New Phytol. 16, 253–276
Wainwright, S.A., Biggs, W.D., Currey, J.D., Gosline, J.M. (1976) Mechanical design in organisms. Princeton University Press, N.J., USA
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
We thank Dr. Paul Russo, Louisiana State University, for allowing us to use the stress-strain analyzer. This work was supported by National Science Foundation grant IBN-9118094.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hasenstein, K.H., Pesacreta, T.C. & Sullivan, V.I. Thigmonasticity of thistle staminal filaments. Planta 190, 58–64 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195675
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195675