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Gymnosperm Stem: Resin Duct in One Year Pinus

cross section: Pinus stem

magnification: 400x

Triarch quadruple stain

 

Berkshire Community College Bioscience Image Library

 

Conspicuous resin ducts are found in the cortex, primary and secondary xylem, but rarely the pith. The ducts are surrounded by secretory parenchyma that produces resins and many toxic terpenes including the turpentines. This antiseptic material solidifies when exposed to air, acting to seal wounds, to protect the plant from fungi, insect and bacterial infection and to discourage herbivores. Some secretory cells enlarge into dark staining tyloses that block the resin dusts.

 

Visit the BCC Bioscience Image featuring the Microscopic World of Plants. www.berkshirecc.edu/biologyimages

 

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Uploaded on August 1, 2017
Taken on February 10, 2014