Sporopollenin (eBook)

Front Cover 1
Sporopollenin 6
Copyright Page 7
Table of Contents 12
CHAPTER 1. SPOROPOLLENIN IN THE BIOLOGICAL CONTEXT 14
Introduction 14
The Sporopollenin Concept 15
Sporopollenin Sculpturing: Adaptive Roles 21
Spore Wall Patterning: Morphogenesis 31
Conclusion 40
References 41
CHAPTER 2. THE ROLE PLAYED BY SPOROPOLLENIN IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLLEN IN PINUS BANKSIANA 44
Abstract 44
Introduction 45
Materials and Methods 49
Observations 50
Discussion 57
Acknowledgements 65
REFERENCES 66
CHAPTER 3. MORPHOLOGICAL AND FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPICAL INVESTIGATION ON SPOROPOLLENIN FORMATION AT PINUS SYLYESTRIS AND GASTERIA VERRUCOSA 81
Abstract 81
Introduction 82
Material and methods 82
Morphological development of Pinus sylvestris pollen 84
Pollen wall fluorescence 96
The megaspore wall 102
Literature 104
CHAPTER 4. PRIMULINE INDUCED FLUORESCENCE OF THE FIRST EXINE ELEMENTS AND UBISCH BODIES IN IPOMOEA AND LILIUM 121
Abstract 121
Introduction 122
Material and Methods 123
Observations 124
Lilium 127
Ubisch bodies 128
Discussion 129
References 133
Explanation of the figures 134
CHAPTER 5. ULTRASTRUCTURAL AND CHEMICAL STUDIES OF POLLEN WALL DEVELOPMENT IN THE EPACRIDACEAE 143
Introduction 145
RESULTS 149
SUMMARY 180
REFERENCES 184
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 186
CHAPTER 6. IMPLICATIONS ON THE NATURE OF SPOROPOLLENIN BASED UPON POLLEN DEVELOPMENT 187
Abstract 187
Introduction 188
The microspore as a free cell surface 191
The exine surface 197
Transfer of material across the exine 204
Exine dissolution during development and germination 219
General discussion 223
Acknowledgments 227
References 227
CHAPTER 7. PRODUCTION OF SPOROPOLLENIN BY THE TAPETUM 233
Abstract 233
Introduction 234
Development of the anther 235
The Tapetum 237
Development of the Amoeboid or Periplasmodial Tapetum 240
Development of the Secretory Tapetum 243
Development of Ubisch Bodies 245
Function of Ubisch Bodies 249
Tapetal Membranes 251
Pollenkitt Formation 252
Tryphine Formation 253
Contribution by the Tapetum to the Pollen Grain Wall 254
Control of Sporopollenin Deposition 257
Acknowledgement 259
References 259
CHAPTER 8. NOTES ON THE RESISTANCE AND STRATIFICATION OF THE EXINE 261
Abstract 261
Resistance to decay 261
Corrosion possibly due to microbial activities 262
Radial perforations and/or channels in the exine of mature pollen grains 263
"Interbedded Zones" (Larson 1966) 265
References 267
CHAPTER 9. THE PRESERVATION OF SPOROPOLLENIN MEMBRANES UNDER NATURAL CONDITIONS 269
References 283
CHAPTER 10. A PALAEOBIOLOGICAL DEFINITION OF SPOROPOLLENIN 286
Abstract 286
Introduction 286
Spores, Living and Fossil 287
The distinction between spores and pollen 294
The recognition of sporopollenin in fossils 298
The resolution of different types of fossil spore wall material by density gradient centrifugation 300
BIBLIOGRAPHY 306
CHAPTER 11. ASPECTS OF SPORIN 308
Abstract 308
Introduction 308
References 314
CHAPTER 12. THE CHEMISTRY OF SPOROPOLLENIN 318
Abstract 318
Contents 319
Introduction 319
Early Experiments with Sporopollenin 321
Later Chemistry 329
Biochemistry of Sporopollenin Production in Lilium Henryii 331
Radiochemical Studies 350
Post-tetrad Ontogeny of Sporopollenin Derived from Pollen Grains of Lilium Henryii 354
References 359
CHAPTER 13. SOME CHEMICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON SPOROPOLLENIN 364
Abstract 364
Introduction 365
Application of Sporopollenin Studies to Phytochemistry 368
Fossil Sporopollenin 373
Recent Studies on Fossil Walls 380
Stable Carbon Isotope Studies on Tasmanites Fossil Walls 382
Occurrence of Fossil Spore Concentrates in sediments 384
Thermal Alteration of Sporopollenin 386
Examination of the Soluble Products from Thermally degraded Spropollenin 395
Preservation of Organic Matter in Sediments 400
Occurrence of Organic Matter in Pre-cambrian Sediments 403
The presence of fossil micro-organisms in sedimentary rocks 404
Some studies on the Onverwacht Chert 408
Stable carbon isotope studies on the Onverwacht insoluble organic matter 412
Pre-cambrian Paleochemistry and Evolution 414
Acknowledgements 415
References 416
CHAPTER 14. DEMONSTRATION OF SURFACE FREE RADICALS ON SPORE COATS BY ESR TECHNIQUES 421
Abstract 421
Introduction 421
Materials and Methods 422
Results 422
Discussion 431
Summary 433
Acknowledgments 433
References 434
CHAPTER 15. APPLICATION OF SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE TECHNIQUES AND OPTICAL MICROSCOPY TO THE STUDY OF SPOROPOLLENIN 435
Abstract 435
References 446
Acknowledgements 447
CHAPTER 16. A Scanning electron microscope study of exine structure 453
Montinia caryophyllacea 453
Acknowledgements 458
Key to plates 458
Bibliography 458
Summary 459
Introduction 460
Results 461
Corrosion phenomena 472
Some general remarks and conclusions 473
Acknowledgements 477
References 477
CHAPTER 17. MICROBIOLOGICAL DEGRADATION OF SPOROPOLLENIN 493
Abstract 493
Introduction 493
Degradation Scars 500
Identity of Causative Organisms 506
Other Bacteria 512
Discussion 514
Acknowledgments 519
References 519
Discussion 523
CHAPTER 18. LIPID COMPONENTS IN FRESH AND FOSSIL POLLEN AND SPORES 525
ABSTRACT 525
INTRODUCTION 526
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 529
REFERENCES 555
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 557
CHAPTER 19. THE PETROLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF SPORINITE 558
ABSTRACT 558
INTRODUCTION 559
RELATIONSHIPS AND DISTRIBUTION OF SPORINITE 559
MORPHOLOGY OF SPORINITE 562
PROPERTIES OF SPORINITE 564
RESISTANCE OF SPORINITE IN THE GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 571
REFERENCES 580
CHAPTER 20. DIAGENESIS OF SPOROPOLLENIN AND OTHER COMPARABLE ORGANIC SUBSTANCES: APPLICATION TO HYDROCARBON RESEARCH 582
Abstract 582
Introduction 583
Organic matter observed under the microscope 583
Evolution during sedimentation 590
Diagenetic evolution 591
Method of study 591
Diagenetic alteration factors affecting preservation 596
Burial 597
Temperature 600
Age 601
Lithology 601
Diagenetic behaviour of the various organic elements studied 603
Electron microprobe study of the observed diagenetic evolution 605
Quantitative evolution of sporopollenin and other organic matter in the course of geological time - comparison with coals, petroleum and organic carbon 611
Relationships between the diagenetic evolution of the organic matter and the transformation of organic matter into hydrocarbons 613
Relationship between the diagenetic state of sporopollenin and other organic elements and the presence of hydrocarbons 617
Relationships between the different types of organic matter and the nature of the hydrocarbons formed 621
Conclusions 626
Acknowledgements 627
PLATE I 630
PLATE II 630
PLATE III 630
CHAPTER 21. THERMAL DEGRADATION OF SPOROPOLLENIN AND GENESIS OF HYDROCARBONS 634
ABSTRACT 634
INTRODUCTION 634
EFFECTS OF THERMAL DECAY 635
CONCLUSION 665
REFERENCES 665
CHAPTER 22. Contact between the Spore Cytoplasm and the growing Sporoderm of the Selaginella Megaspore 667
Abstract 667
CHAPTER 23. REVIEW OF THE UV-FLUORESCENCE MICROPHOTOMETRY OF FRESH AND FOSSIL EXINES AND EXOSPORIA 672
ABSTRACT 672
INTRODUCTION 673
METHODS OF FLUORESCENCE MICROPHOTOMETRY 675
INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS OF FLUORESCENCE DETERMINATIONS 677
FLUOEESCMCE A M GEOLOGICAL AGE OF PALTOMORPHS 680
FLUORESCENCE AND COALIFICATION OF PALYNOMORPHS 682
FLUORESCENCE AND CORROSION OF PALYNOMORPHS 684
FLUORESCENCE AND CHEMICAL DECOMPOSITION OF FRESH SPORES 685
FLUORESCENCE AND POLLEN DEVELOPMENT 690
DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS 691
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 693
REFERENCES 693
SUMMARY AND GENERAL DISCUSSION 699
REFERENCES 720
INDEX 722