Scanning electron micrograph of starch grains, or amyloplasts (6 large grey bodies), in a cell of a cotyledon (seed leaf), of a mature Jack bean, Cana

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Scanning electron micrograph of starch grains, or amyloplasts (6 large grey bodies), in a cell of a cotyledon (seed leaf), of a mature Jack bean, Canavalia ensiformis. Bean cotyledons are storage organs in the seed containing reserves of starch, from which the germinating seed draws nourishment. Beans (legumes) are a source of protein in the human diet. The protein is stored in small vacuoles called protein bodies (tiny grey ovals, plus 3 larger ones). Beans also contain the highly poisonous lectin, concanavalin A, which if not neutralized by soaking & adequate boiling causes clotting of red blood cells. Mag: X1200 (at 10x8 size).

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Size: 3657px × 4807px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: amyloplast, bean, bodies, botanical, botany, canavalia, cell, cells, cotyledon, ensiformis, grain, jack, leaf, lectin, plant, plastid, plastids, poison, protein, science, seed, starch, structure, type