FORMATION OF WALL-LIKE ENVELOPES BY ISOLATED TOMATO-FRUIT PROTOPLASTS

Formation of a new cell wall around tomato protoplasts was confirmed by optical microscopy, electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. This wall is composed of three layers; (a) an outer ring, which seems to be composed of diffuse, amorphous material, (b) an intermediate space, crossed by radial fibers, (c) a thicker, inner band composed of dense, highly consolidated material which may have sub-layers within it. Occasionally, cells are observed with only the dense consolidated layer about them. The origin of this wall and its component layers is not yet understood. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.