Cell Division and Cell Differentiation

Abstract

Plant growth and development is driven by the continuous production of new cells. The processes involved in making it possible for a cell to give rise to two daughter cells define the cell division cycle. Plant development requires a fine control of cell division (rate, cell cycle exit and reactivation, endoreplication) and differentiation. By affecting cell numbers and organ formation, cell division and differentiation will affect plant growth and can therefore have a profound impact on yield and biomass production. Understanding the balance between cell division and cell differentiation, the key players in those processes, will help in the breeding of new, high-yielding varieties as well as improving plant regeneration processes in vitro.