The microtubular skeleton in differentiating root tips of Raphanus sativus L.

Using immunofluorescence techniques, microtubules were studied in differentiating cells of Raphanus sativus. Within one cell large differences in microtubule patterns occur. The results indicate a relation between cell expansion and microtubule orientation; at elongating surfaces microtubules are found perpendicular to the direction of expansion at the cells surface. At non-expanding cell surfaces, randomly oriented microtubules are found. Possibly a relation exists between the rate of elongation and the density of the microtubules.