Cellulose is deposited onto the plant cell wall in highly ordered crystalline aggregates by the cellulose synthase complex embedded in the plasma membrane. Would you expect cell wall deposition to continue following treatment of plant cells with a drug that depolymerizes microtubules? Would you expect these cells to be able to switch the orientation of the microfibril pattern between successive lamellae?
A) Yes; yes
B) Yes; no
C) No; yes
D) No; no

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Synthesis of cellulose and its deposition as microfibrils would continue after such treatment; however, it is thought that in the absence of cortical microtubules, the process is not spatially restrained, and therefore the microfibril pattern is locked: new microfibrils are deposited in the same orientation as the layer put down previously.

Cellulose Is Deposited onto the Plant Cell Wall in Highly