Scanning electron microscopy of cell wall formation around isolated plant protoplasts.

The process of cell wall regeneration around two species of higher plant protoplasts has been studied using reflection scanning electron microscopy. The first stage in the process is the formation of short fibres from randomly spaced centres. With protoplasts of tobacco leaf (Nicotiana tabacum L., cv White Burley) these fibres then elongate and interlace apparently at random to give rise to a matted continuous layer of wall. Protoplasts of a suspension culture of grapevine cells (Vitis vinifera L. cv Müller Thurgau) produce short fibres but these fail to elongate. Budding is observed during wall regeneration around vine protoplasts. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanical properties of the wall and its relationship to changes in plasmalemma morphology which are observed during wall formation.