USING SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY TECHNIQUES IN THE ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL DIVERSITY OF VARIOUS PLANTS ORGANS

In this paper, the applications of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in plant histology and anatomy research are highlighted. Traditionally, SEM is used in plant biology to analyze the surfaces of various vegetative and reproductive organs in order to investigate micromorphological aspects. Vegetative and reproductive organs from 12 species of angiosperms from various habitats in Romania were analyzed (Adonis vernalis L., Primula halleri J.F.Gmel., Oxytropis halleri Bunge et. Koch, Oxytropis campestris (L.) DC, Pulsatilla alpina (L.) Chaz., Gentiana acaulis L., Ranunculus montanus Willd., Dryas octopetala L., Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R.Br., Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz, Ardisia crenata Sims, Dioscorea polystachya Turcz.). This study presents the anatomical aspects of the plant organs, with observations based on images obtained using SEM. To clarify some structural details, comparative images from the same biological material, obtained either through SEM or a classical light microscopy (LM), were also provided. The advantages and disadvantages of using this technique in plant anatomy to reveal structural particularities are discussed.