Shoot Morphogenesis

Abstract

This article emphasizes that extensive morphological changes can be induced by changes in the metabolic status of the plant. Some of these responses, such as the increase in the thickness of cell walls when conditions favor carbohydrate accumulation, probably represent the relatively direct effects of particular metabolites. In other morphogenetic processes, however, such as the development of the differentiated structure of leaves, the metabolic status of the developing organ is probably merely the stimulus which releases a genetically determined sequence of events. Other genetical aspects of morphogenesis, especially with reference to the occurrence of developmental phases in plants, are dealt with at length in a recent article by Brink. There is a bibliography with 263 references.