Structure of plant cell nucleus viewed by scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

The three-dimensional structure of the nucleus ta meristematic and differentiated phloem ray parenchyma cells of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mili.) is viewed by scanning electron microscopy. The fixed and dehydrated plant tissues were freeze-fractured in absolute ethanol and dried by the critical point method. Some of the features observed in the fractured nuclei are aggregates of chromatin some of which possess a spiral orientation, the attachment of chromatin to the nuclear envelope, and small canals in the fractured envelope probably representing nuclear pores.