2006 Student Research Conference:
19th Annual Student Research Conference

Science

Anatomical and Chemical Characteristics of Mucilage Production in Brasenia (Cabombaceae, Nymphaeales)
Iran S. Tabatabaeian
Dr. Jeffrey M. Osborn and Dr. Brian D. Lamp, Faculty Mentors

Brasenia schreberi, commonly known as the water shield, is a water lily that belongs to the family Cabombaceae in the order Nymphaeales. Brasenia is of significant evolutionary interest because water lilies are considered to be among the most primitive flowering plants. Brasenia is also interesting because it produces an abundant gelatinous mucilage that covers many underwater organs. This research is the first investigation to integrate anatomical and chemical analyses of mucilage production in Brasenia. Fresh samples of Brasenia were studied using combined light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The mucilage is produced by numerous epidermal hairs, or trichomes, that cover the surfaces of young stems, floral buds, petioles, and the undersides of leaves. Each secretory trichome is elongate and multicellular. Mucilage secretion does not occur within the internal body of the plant. The chemical composition of mucilage appears to be primarily composed of polysaccharides.

Keywords: Brasenia, Nymphaeales, Cabombaceae, Mucilage, Microscopy, HPLC, Polysaccharide, Trichome

Topic(s):Biology

Presentation Type: Oral Paper

Session: 54-2
Location: VH 1412
Time: 3:00

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