The development of protein and oil bodies in the seed of Sinapis alba L.

Abstract

The cotyledons of Sinapis alba L. seed are the storage organs and first photosynthetic organs. The development of the cotyledon cell contents was studied using electron and light microscopy. From the heart shaped embryo (11 days from petal fall) to the mature seed, nine stages were examined. Both types of protein grains (designated aleurone grains and myrosin grains) were found to form within vacuoles, but the mode of protein accumulation differed with each type of grain. Oil bodies were apparent with the EM from 18 days onwards, but could not be seen to arise from the ER. They were granular in appearance at early stages, but later became electron transparent.