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Aleurone

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Description:
– Multicolored corn has pigments in the aleurone layer
Aleurone surrounds endosperm tissue of grass seeds
– Starchy endosperm cells are irregularly shaped and contain starch grains
Aleurone cells are cuboidal and contain aleurone grains
Aleurone layer is important for seed and plant development

Development:
Aleurone layer development involves cell divisions and genetic regulation
– Dek1 and crinkly4 kinase regulate aleurone cell fate
– Mutants of dek1 gene cause formation of starchy endosperm cells
– Mutations in cr4 gene switch aleurone cell fate
– Hormones like auxin and gibberellin influence aleurone development

Function:
Aleurone maintains low pH in the endosperm
– Hemoglobins present in aleurone tissue in barley and rice seeds
Aleurone cells release enzymes during germination
– Starchy endosperm breakdown supplies sugars for growth
– Gibberellin effect on aleurone used in brewing

References:
Plant physiology book by Taiz & Zeiger
Seed Development, Dormancy and Germination book
– Regulation of aleurone development in cereal grains article
– The Structure and Composition of Foods book
– Mikroskopische Diagnostik pflanzlicher Nahrungs article

External links:
Aleurone in New International Encyclopedia, 1905

Aleurone (Wikipedia)

Aleurone (from Greek aleuron, flour) is a protein found in protein granules of maturing seeds and tubers.[clarification needed] The term also describes one of the two major cell types of the endosperm, the aleurone layer. The aleurone layer is the outermost layer of the endosperm, followed by the inner starchy endosperm. This layer of cells is sometimes referred to as the peripheral endosperm. It lies between the pericarp and the hyaline layer of the endosperm. Unlike the cells of the starchy endosperm, aleurone cells remain alive at maturity. The ploidy of the aleurone is (3n) [as a result of double fertilization].

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