Category: Uncategorized

ELECTRICAL CUES. "Flowers are negatively charged, while flying insects are positively charged. This has been suggested to facilitate pollen transfer between insects and flowers. A recent paper in Science indicates that the electric fields of flowers also might be pollinator cues. It has not been studied yet how long the electric field lasts in relation to stigma receptivity and pollen availability. It also is not yet clear when the flowers attain the electric field, thus whether and how the field is related to flower opening or closure." https://lnkd.in/eTEzGE9 View in LinkedIn

COMPLEX REPRODUCTION. "Microguarding to buffer against interactions with the opposite sex. Reproduction involves a complex series of choreographed events that must occur in the correct sequence in order for eggs to be produced, fertilised and laid/implanted." https://lnkd.in/eRcyMDJ View in LinkedIn

ENERGY INTENSIVE. "A number of proteins have been linked with pulvinar heliotropism and nyctinasty. H+- ATPase activity increases turgor by H+ efflux and consequent K+ influx, and H+-ATPase inhibitors reduce diaheliotropic response in soybean pulvinus. Blue light is a deactivator of H+-ATPase in Phaseolus vulgaris motor cells which leads to decreased turgor pressure on the illuminated region rather than an activator of H+-ATPase on the opposite region." http://www.pagepress.org/journals/index.php/pb/article/view/4887/4390 View in LinkedIn

MICROGUARDING. "We review recent research that supports the idea that an important new role for small RNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), is in protecting the genome against short-term transcriptional fluctuations, in a process we term ‘microguarding’." https://lnkd.in/eRcyMDJ View in LinkedIn

LIGHT DURATION. "Opening and closure in several other species is regulated by changes in light intensity and, in some species with nocturnal opening, by an increase in relative humidity. A minimum duration of darkness and light are usually required for opening and closure, respectively, in flowers that open during the day. Both phytochrome and a blue light receptor seem involved in light perception." http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/content/54/389/1801.full View in LinkedIn

GENE REGULATION. "The regulation of gene expression is of fundamental importance to maintain organismal function and integrity and requires a multifaceted and highly ordered sequence of events. The cyclic nature of gene expression is known as ‘transcription dynamics’. Disruption or perturbation of these dynamics can result in significant fitness costs arising from genome instability, accelerated ageing and disease." https://lnkd.in/eRcyMDJ View in LinkedIn

IONIC GRADIENTS AND PHOTOPERIODS. "In heliotropism, upon light exposure, an asymmetric turgor gradient formed between the adaxial and abaxial motor cells leads to leaf movement. Potassium ion influx coupled with chlorine ion is powered by a proton gradient and results in osmotic influx. In addition to heliotropism, the pulvinus changes turgor for nyctinastic leaf folding, and is affected by alterations in the length of the photoperiod." https://lnkd.in/e9s_fPH View in LinkedIn

EXQUISITE FLEXIBILITY. ""The complex nature of microRNAs implies that they are capable of achieving amazing regulation of cellular function. For example, microRNAs have even been demonstrated to regulate vertebrate embryonic development through managing gradient expression." http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/stem.1922/full View in LinkedIn

HISTORICAL DEFICIENCY. "MicroRNAs were likely implemented throughout evolution due to inherent deficiencies in gene expression regulation. Such inadequacies could have otherwise hindered the emergence of complex organisms referring to the evolution of vertebrates and mammals in particular." http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/stem.1922/full View in LinkedIn

NATURAL WASTE. "It may seem strange that plants and animals have evolved such an elaborate system to prevent the use of certain mRNAs. The notion that perfectly good nucleic acids are degraded after they are transcribed seems even wasteful at times." http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/stem.1922/full View in LinkedIn