The fern as a model system to study photomorphogenesis.
The fern gametophyte is a good model system for studying cell biological, physiological, and photobiological aspects of the fundamental processes of plant development and physiological phenomena, because of its autotrophic characteristics and its simple structure. The cells, moreover, are not surrounded by tissue, so observation and manipulation of the cells are very easy. Here I summarize a part of my knowledge of fern systems, which I have studied for nearly 40 years.
Wada
Masamitsu
M
Division of Photobiology, National Institute for Basic Biology, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan. wada@nibb.ac.jp
D005075:Biological Evolution; D029624:Ferns / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis