Plant cell and organism development

Abstract

"Plants represent a unique and fascinating group of living organisms. By utilising photosynthesis, they are primary producers, which in one way or another are indispensable to the existence of heterotrophs, including humans. They also absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere, which is crucial to sustain not only the Earth’s biosphere but also the geosphere. As sessile organisms, plants had to develop unique strategies to deal with environmental stresses. These involve, inter alia, the presence of the cell wall, plant cell totipotency and a predisposition of plants to panorganismal polyploidisation, including interspecific or even intergeneric hybridisation followed by a stable restoration of sexual reproduction via allopolyploidisation." (fragm.)