How do plant cell walls extend?
This article briefly summarizes recent work that identifies the biophysical and biochemical processes that give rise to the extension of plant cell walls.  I begin with the biophysical notion of stress relaxation of the wall and follow with recent studies of wall enzymes thought to catalyze wall extension and relaxation. Readers should refer to detailed reviews for more comprehensive discussion of earlier literature (Taiz, 1984; Carpita and Gibeaut, 1993; Cosgrove, 1993).
Cosgrove
D J
DJ
Biology Department, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16865.
D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004548:Elasticity; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000201:enzymology*; D016695:Glycosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D059828:Plant Cells; D063245:Plant Development; D010944:Plants / Q000201:enzymology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D016695:Glycosyltransferases; C073693:xyloglucan endotransglycosylase