Despite numerous attempts to elucidate the developmental mechanisms responsible for the observed diversity of pollen and spore walls, the processes involved remained obscure until the structures observed during exine development were recognized as a sequence of self-assembling micellar mesophases. To confirm this, a series of in vitro experiments was undertaken in which exine-like patterns were generated in colloidal mixtures by self-assembly, without any genomic participation. The intention was to test whether all the main types of exine structure could be simulated experimentally. Mixtures of substances, analogous to those involved in microspore development, were left undisturbed while water evaporated and self-assembly occurred. We varied the substances, their combinations and concentrations, and the physical constraints to make the experiments closer to the situation in nature. The resulting dry films were then examined using transmission electron microscopy. A variety of microstructures, simulating the full range of exine types, was obtained by micellar self-assembly. Moreover, the signs of related physicochemical process (i.e. phase separation) were also observed. Simple, energy-efficient, physical-chemical interactions, phase separation and self-assembly, are capable of generating exine-like patterns, providing evidence that these processes share control of exine formation with the well-documented program of gene expression.

中文翻译：

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通过体外相分离和自组装的串联过程模拟的人造花粉壁。

尽管进行了许多尝试来阐明造成所观察到的花粉和孢子壁多样性的发育机理的尝试，但是所涉及的过程仍然不清楚，直到在外在发育期间观察到的结构被认为是自组装胶束中间相的序列。为了证实这一点，进行了一系列体外实验，其中在胶体混合物中通过自组装在没有任何基因组参与的情况下产生了类似exine的模式。目的是测试是否可以通过实验模拟所有主要类型的外骨骼结构。类似于小孢子发育的物质混合物，在水蒸发和发生自组装时不受干扰。我们改变了物质，它们的组合和浓度，以及物理上的限制使实验更接近自然状态。然后使用透射电子显微镜检查所得的干膜。通过胶束自组装获得了各种模拟外部结构类型的微观结构。此外，还观察到相关的理化过程（即相分离）的迹象。简单，节能，物理化学相互作用，相分离和自组装能够生成类似exine的模式，这提供了证据，证明这些过程与基因记录程序共同控制exine的形成。通过胶束自组装获得。此外，还观察到相关的理化过程（即相分离）的迹象。简单，节能，物理化学相互作用，相分离和自组装能够生成类似exine的模式，从而提供证据证明这些过程与基因表达的程序共同控制exine的形成。通过胶束自组装获得。此外，还观察到相关的理化过程（即相分离）的迹象。简单，节能，物理化学相互作用，相分离和自组装能够生成类似exine的模式，从而提供证据证明这些过程与基因表达的程序共同控制exine的形成。