Molecular Brace (VIDEO)

Institute for Basic Science

Caption

A molecular brace made of lignin plays a crucial role at the detachment site where petals and fruits leave a tree. Two or three layers of honeycomb-structured lignin embrace the cells which are going to be shed from the plant (secession cells). Lignin act as a brace around the secession cells to localize cell wall breakdown and spatially restrict the detaching cells.

Credit

Elsevier Inc.

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