That is some amazing microphotography. Are the red spheres within the cells chloroplasts?
Selinasays
Yes – those red dots are chloroplasts, all squeezed to the edges of the cell in the cytoplasm because of the large cell vacuole, and fluorescing red under UV light. Chlorophyll fluorescence using a UV spectrometer is a standard way to estimate chlorophyll content/concentration, and UV fluorescence microscopy is a good way to visualise chloroplasts.
Tethyssays
Selina, thank you for the info.
I was wondering if they were actually red, or if it was an effect of the photography. Ahhh, endless forms most beautiful.
Liverwort nothing! That’s a liver fluke–the one true cause of all disease! Shoot it quick!
Chuck Goeckesays
Liverworts are one of the first multicellular land plants. The haploid generation is the dominant one, like the mosses, and they lack vascular tissue, thus are relegated to creeping along the ground in moist places. They are the first of the amphibious plants.
Zytrocksays
Selina, thanks for the information. I was thinking “That plant looks like origami!” :P
So it’s not good with fava beans and a nice Chianti?
I really thought that this was what happened when biologists somehow coaxed liver cells into forming feet.
It’s a liverwort!
Color me gullible.
I believe it’s spelled liverwurst. They are delicious on a fresh bun with mustard.
Oooooh, primitive-looking.
Sort of like ID “theory.”
Glen Davidson
That is some amazing microphotography. Are the red spheres within the cells chloroplasts?
Yes – those red dots are chloroplasts, all squeezed to the edges of the cell in the cytoplasm because of the large cell vacuole, and fluorescing red under UV light. Chlorophyll fluorescence using a UV spectrometer is a standard way to estimate chlorophyll content/concentration, and UV fluorescence microscopy is a good way to visualise chloroplasts.
Selina, thank you for the info.
I was wondering if they were actually red, or if it was an effect of the photography. Ahhh, endless forms most beautiful.
Not much like a wort, either.
Cool shot, that.
Liverwort nothing! That’s a liver fluke–the one true cause of all disease! Shoot it quick!
Liverworts are one of the first multicellular land plants. The haploid generation is the dominant one, like the mosses, and they lack vascular tissue, thus are relegated to creeping along the ground in moist places. They are the first of the amphibious plants.
Selina, thanks for the information. I was thinking “That plant looks like origami!” :P