Molecular Cell Biology of the Growth and Differentiation of Plant Cells

This book encompasses cell division, cell expansion, and differentiation, which is the cellular basis of plant growth and development. The dynamics of cellular organelles are considered in the context of these processes. Advances in the visualization of organelles using molecular probes and confocal microscopy, along with molecular genetics, have provided a much clearer understanding of these basic cellular plant processes. Each chapter present a current and conceptual view of the cell cycle, cell expansion, or cell differentiation.

Molecular Cell Biology of the Growth and Differentiation of Plant Cells encompasses cell division, cell enlargement and differentiation; which is the cellular basis of plant growth and development. Understanding these developmental processes is fundamental for improving plant growth and the production of special plant products, as well as contributing to biological understanding. The dynamics of cells and cellular organelles are considered in the context of growth and differentiation, made possible particularly by advances in molecular genetics and the visualization of organelles using molecular probes. There is now a much clearer understanding of these basic plant processes of cell division, cell enlargement and differentiation. Each chapter provides a current and conceptual view in the context of the cell cycle (6 chapters), cell enlargement (5 chapters) or cell differentiation (9 chapters). The book provides state of the art knowledge (and open questions) set out in a framework that provides a long term reference point. The book is targeted at plant cell biologists, molecular biologists, plant physiologists and biochemists, developmental biologists and those interested in plant growth and development. The book is suitable for those already in the field, plant scientists entering the field and graduate students.