Adhesion of the Boston ivy tendril

Abstract

Tactile stimulation of Boston ivy tendrils results in the development of bilaterally symmetric discs which adhere to substrates in the vicinity of the tendrils. Our electron microscopic examination of the tendrils indicates that adhesive secretion occurs from the peripheral cells at the contact face of the discs. Cell walls in this region develop pockets which fill with adhesive and ultimately coalesce. In fully adherent discs, the adhesive occupies the region between the substrate and the cells as well as the intracellular regions between the peripheral cells. While a cuticle was present on immature discs, no cuticle-like material was observed at the contact interface of mature discs.Staining of the adhesive was enhanced by ruthenium red and potassium ferrocyanide treatments, and the adhesive bound both colloidal iron and thorium. These results indicated that the adhesive is possibly a mucopolysaccharide.