Cells, Genes & Molecules
Does Viagra really help preserve flowers?
It is said that sildenafil citrate can help preserve flowers. Here’s an experiment that you could do at home, but probably shouldn’t, to find out.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Decrypting the tubby-like protein gene family in cassava
Dong et al. identify and characterise the cassava TLP gene family, MeTLP, at the genomic level.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Gene copy number is associated with phytochemistry in Cannabis sativa
THCA and CBDA were thought to have a simple mode of inheritance; however, a recent study by Vergara et al. describes that in fact multiple gene copies are involved in their production.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Distribution of Veronica polyploids is influenced by both habitat differentiation and historic glaciation
Species with higher ploidy levels prefer cooler, wetter habitats than diploids.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Sweetcorn a better target than other maizes for Zinc biofortification
Earlier consumption and less processing makes sweetcorn a better source of dietary zinc.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Early Lateral Root Development Is Driven by Thirst
Roots are critical for plants to find water and nutrients. They can also be expensive to grow, so a plant needs to send them in the
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Lichen algae remodel their cell walls in response to drying
Lichen algae respond to desiccation with both a controlled collapse of their cell walls and a bit of biochemical remodelling.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Scientists find critical receptor that allows plant cells to pass stress signals
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is well-known for its role in cells as acting almost like currency for energy storage. Research by Elsa Matthus and colleagues shows
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Anaesthetic blocks trap closure and wounding response in Venus Flytraps
Diethyl ether renders flytraps unable to close their traps or respond to wounding using a mechanism with parallels in animals.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
A diversity of lipid composition in the seeds and fruits of the palm family
Palms are vitally important due to their high vegetable oil production, which can occur in both fruits and seeds. The full range of lipid storage and composition, however, hasn’t been well understood across this large and diverse group.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Resistance to the herbicide 2,4-D is complex in wild radish
Resistance to 2,4-D in wild radish is complex and appears to vary in its mechanism from one population to the next, but new research suggests that lower receptivity at the plasma membrane is part of the answer.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
How do plants perceive damage to themselves?
Plants use receptor proteins on the surface of their cells to recognise danger signals from pathogens. A paper recently published by Li, Wang and Mou in