Grain growth 1 to 4 days

Embryo sac: wall changes


This transverse section is from a 4 day old grain. During this phase the outer integument degenerates while a cuticle develops on the inner integument. The nucellus degenerates until only its cuticle and epidermis remain. In some areas of grain, but not all, we can see tube cells and cross cells. The Cell Layers inside the Grain are described in detail in a separate section.
There are complex changes in the structure of the embryo sac wall during the first days of grain growth. This transverse section is from a 2 day old grain and shows the cell layers near the ventral groove. Not all the layers are labelled. From the inside: nucellus, nucellar epidermis (arrowed), inner integument (two cells thick), outer integument (two cells thick), tube cells, cross cells, maternal pericarp. The Cell Layers inside the Grain are described in detail in a separate section.
This transverse section of the embryo sac wall is taken from the flank of the grain at 3 days after fertilization. One nucleus from 'free division' can be seen, but it has no cell walls associated.