Molecular Biology of Plant Growth and Development

Abstract

Plant development differs from animal development in several fundamental respects. Since plant cells are immobilized in a rigid cell wall, morphogenesis is dependent upon control of cell growth and plane of cell division, rather than cell migration as occurs in animal development. The meristematic cells of plants display a degree of plasticity not found in animal cells; they remain embryonic throughout the life of the plant and produce both adult organs and germ cells. Furthermore, individual differentiated cells from vegetative plant parts are able to dedifferentiate and regenerate into new, fertile plants.

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