2013/08/29 by Luke Braidwood, Christian Breuer, Keiko Sugimoto · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Polysaccharides and Plant Cell Walls #Plant Molecular Biology Research #Plant Reproductive Biology
paper · doi:10.1111/nph.12473
openalex publication_date 2013/08/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Summary The wall surrounding plant cells provides protection from abiotic and biotic stresses, and support through the action of turgor pressure. However, the presence of this strong elastic wall also prevents cell movement and resists cell growth. This growth can be likened to extending a house from the inside, using extremely high pressures to push out the walls. Plants must increase cell volume in order to explore their environment, acquire nutrients and reproduce. Cell wall material must stretch and flow in a controlled manner and, concomitantly, new cell wall material must be deposited at the correct rate and site to prevent wall and cell rupture. In this review, we examine biomechanics, cell wall structure and growth regulatory networks to provide a ‘big picture’ of plant cell growth. Contents Summary 388 I. Introduction 388 II. Modes of growth 389 III. Biomechanics and modelling of plant cell growth 389 IV. Plant cell wall structure 390 V. Cell wall modification proteins 391 VI. Direction and duration of cell growth 393 VII. Regulation of plant cell growth 394 VIII. Conclusions 398 Acknowledgements 399 References 399