Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- List of cDNA clones, genes, protein products, and mutants
- 1 Reproductive biology of angiosperms: retrospect and prospect
- SECTION I GAMETOGENESIS
- SECTION II POLLINATION AND FERTILIZATION
- SECTION III ZYGOTIC EMBRYOGENESIS
- SECTION IV ADVENTIVE EMBRYOGENESIS
- SECTION V APPLICATIONS
- References
- Index
1 - Reproductive biology of angiosperms: retrospect and prospect
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 August 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- List of cDNA clones, genes, protein products, and mutants
- 1 Reproductive biology of angiosperms: retrospect and prospect
- SECTION I GAMETOGENESIS
- SECTION II POLLINATION AND FERTILIZATION
- SECTION III ZYGOTIC EMBRYOGENESIS
- SECTION IV ADVENTIVE EMBRYOGENESIS
- SECTION V APPLICATIONS
- References
- Index
Summary
Recent advances in molecular biology and genetic engineering have brought new and powerful methodologies to bear upon investigations into the reproductive biology of flowering plants or Angiospermae (angiosperms). These studies, which have been undertaken using a few model systems, have provided novel insights into the role of genomic information during a dynamic phase in the life of higher plants. Naturally, the modern approaches owe their origin to foundations laid in the past; taken together, the old and the new studies have led to the conclusion that the steps in the reproductive biology of plants are integrated systems of changes that occur at levels ranging from morphological to molecular. The purpose of this introductory chapter is to highlight the impact of novel conceptual approaches as well as emerging technologies in unraveling the complex mechanisms that underlie the various phases of sexual and asexual reproduction in angiosperms. Since most of our food and many other natural commodities are generated directly or indirectly from angiosperms, these studies collectively hold great promise of opening new frontiers to improve our commercial exploitation of flowering plants. Thus, the story to be told in the following chapters is as intellectually exciting as it is economically important, with many ramifications of a practical nature.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Molecular Embryology of Flowering Plants , pp. 1 - 14Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1997