Morphological differences between cells and the exis- tence of
morphologically distinct particles have been examined since cells were
first recognized. Each techno- logical advance in detection and
visualization has led to the description of different organelles and
cell types. Basic biochemical processes in cells were recognized and are
now weIl understood. It is only recently however, that research has
expanded to include the specific meta- bolic function of the specialized
cell types and organelles. In some cases metabolic roles were recognized
when the organelles were first described, e.g., chloroplasts, mito-
chondria, etc., in others the metabolic role remains unknown. Chemical
and biochemical specialization in plants or their organelles is equally
challenging. Although biochemists have laboured intensivelyon many
isolated plant organelles, it is only recently that technical advances
have permitted the examination of specialization in the metabolism of
cell types. This area of research, although under intensive
investigation in some areas of plant metabolism, is still in its
infancy. Further developments in methodology or in production of
specific genetic lines of plants will greatly improve our understanding
of the specialization of different tissues and cell types. This volume
describes the current status in the dis- cipline as presented in a
Symposium on the Cellular and Subcellular Specialization in Plant
Metabolism during the Annual Meeting of the Phytochemical Society of
North America, at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., on August 10-14,
1981.