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Adaptations of orchid roots to epiphytism
Ungrová, Anna ; Ponert, Jan (advisor) ; Soukup, Aleš (referee)
The evolutionary success of orchids is to a large extent driven by the ability to colonize epiphytic habitats. This ability is based on a number of adaptations at different levels, and the adaptive features of aerial roots can play a key role because the roots are practically the only organ providing water and nutrient uptake. The main aim of this work is to review available information about roots of epiphytic orchids (Orchidaceae), especially their adaptations to the epiphytic way of life. The roots of epiphytes must deal with a periodic lack of water and nutrients, often in conjunction with high irradiation. The roots of epiphytic orchids adapt to these conditions on many levels. Rhizodermis forms a velamen capable to retain water and nutrients and protecting roots against environmental conditions including UV radiation. Root cortex contains chloroplasts, which can perform photosynthesis at least in some orchid species. Exodermis is well differentiated with thick secondary cell walls and acts as a selective barrier for the transport of substances with the use of passage and aeration cells. The function of some adaptive structures is still unclear, for example, tilosomes could regulate transpiration. Epiphytism evolved multiple times in orchids, and some root adaptations therefore originated...
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The role of chloroplasts in the stele of epiphytic orchid roots
Ungrová, Anna ; Ponert, Jan (advisor) ; Lhotáková, Zuzana (referee)
The photosynthesis of the aerial roots of epiphytic orchids has been the subject of numerous studies. However, the roots are always evaluated as a homogeneous structure, even though they actually consist of significantly different areas. This work deals for the first time with the possibility of the spatial distribution of photosynthesis between the root layers, specifically the cortex and the stele. A combination of various microscopic techniques, the histochemical characterization of the apoplastic barriers and the immunohistochemical localization of the photosynthetic enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase has been used. The results show that well-developed chloroplasts in the stele probably occur in the subfamily Epidendroideae in all epiphytic representatives, while in the subfamily Vanilloideae they occur occasionally. The ultrastructure of chloroplasts from both areas is systematically different, so it is likely that their functions also differ. Apoplastic barriers are prominent in the roots and differentiate early during root development, which can effectively isolate chloroplasts in the stele from the cortex. Chloroplasts also occur in the sclerenchyma cells of the stele, where were identified hitherto unknown pits in cell walls that could provide gas exchange within the stele....
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Adaptations of orchid roots to epiphytism
Ungrová, Anna ; Ponert, Jan (advisor) ; Soukup, Aleš (referee)
The evolutionary success of orchids is to a large extent driven by the ability to colonize epiphytic habitats. This ability is based on a number of adaptations at different levels, and the adaptive features of aerial roots can play a key role because the roots are practically the only organ providing water and nutrient uptake. The main aim of this work is to review available information about roots of epiphytic orchids (Orchidaceae), especially their adaptations to the epiphytic way of life. The roots of epiphytes must deal with a periodic lack of water and nutrients, often in conjunction with high irradiation. The roots of epiphytic orchids adapt to these conditions on many levels. Rhizodermis forms a velamen capable to retain water and nutrients and protecting roots against environmental conditions including UV radiation. Root cortex contains chloroplasts, which can perform photosynthesis at least in some orchid species. Exodermis is well differentiated with thick secondary cell walls and acts as a selective barrier for the transport of substances with the use of passage and aeration cells. The function of some adaptive structures is still unclear, for example, tilosomes could regulate transpiration. Epiphytism evolved multiple times in orchids, and some root adaptations therefore originated...
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