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The slime envelope is strongly involved in the proper functioning of the diaspore at different regulatory levels. It plays an essential role in dispersal, and creates conditions suitable for germination (either stimulation or inhibition depending on environmental cues). By adhesion of the diaspore to the soil, it is protected from unwanted moves to unfavourable habitats. By anchoring the seed in substratum, it regulatesitsorientationandrootpenetration.Finally,theslimeenvelopesuppliesthe embryo and developing seedling with water and nutrients and defends them against viral or fungal pathogenic attack. The presence of slime assures a plant s success in both dispersal of the diaspore and colonization of new habitats. In general: the slime envelope allows plants to live, ?y and not die. Acknowledgments I particularly want to thank my colleague Dr. Edyta Gola (University of Wroc?aw) for the critical revision of this work. References Abeysekera, R.M. and Willison, J.H.M. (1987) Development of helicoidal in the prerelease mucilage of quince (Cydonia oblonga) seed epidermis. Can. J. Bot. 66: 460 467. Anio?-Kwiatkowska, J., Kwiatkowski, S., and Berdowski, W. (1993) Rosliny lecznicze. Atlas. Warszawa: Arkady. Baiges, J.C. and Blanche, C. (1988) Morfologia de les granes de les especies ` iberico-balears ` del genere ` Euphorbia L. (Euphorbiaceae), I. Subgen. Chamaesyce Ra?n. Actes del Simposi Internacional de Botanica ` Pius Font i Quer, vol II: 91 96. Baiges, J.C., Espadaler, X. and Blanche, C. (1991) Seed dispersal in W Mediterranean Euphorbia species. Botanika Chronika 10: 697 705.
List of contents
Introduction: Surface Properties and their Functions in Biological Systems.- Protection and Defence.- Biological Properties of Fruit and Seed Slime Envelope: How to Live, Fly, and Not Die.- Easily Damaged Integument of Some Sawflies (Hymenoptera) is Part of a Defence Strategy Against Predators.- Anti-wetting.- Water Repellence in Gecko Skin: How Do Geckos Keep Clean?.- Anti-Wetting Surfaces in Heteroptera (Insecta): Hairy Solutions to Any Problem.- Water Repellent Properties of Spiders: Topographical Variations and Functional Correlates.- Dry in the Water: The Superhydrophobic Water Fern Salvinia - a Model for Biomimetic Surfaces.- Brochosomal Coatings of the Integument of Leafhoppers (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae).- Transport.- Pull, Push and Evaporate: The Role of Surfaces in Plant Water Transport.- Aerodynamics.- Molding and Carving Cell Surfaces: The Joke of a Fold and the Origin and Evolution of Feathers.- Acoustics.- Surface Structure of Sound Emission Organs in Urania Moths.- SensorySystems.- Functional Coupling of Cercal Filiform Hairs and Campaniform Sensilla in Crickets.- Optics.- Advanced Photonic Systems on the Wing-Scales of Lepidoptera.- Sub-micron Structures Causing Reflection and Antireflection in Animals.- Surface Colors of Insects: Wings and Eyes.- Butterfly Photonics: Form and Function.
Summary
This illustrated book is devoted to the growing area of science dealing with structure and properties of biological surfaces in their relation to particular function(s). Written by specialists from different disciplines, it covers various surface functions.
