ABSTRACT

The development of complex organisms requires the production of new cells but also the elimination of unwanted cells. In animals, cell death occurs by a process called apoptosis. In plants, most features characterizing apoptosis are not found and the elimination of cell occurs by a process termed Programmed Cell Death (PCD). Several tissues have become model systems to study PCD in plants including the differentiation of tracheary elements, aerenchyma and others. The development and germination of cereal grain are complex processes, in which PCD plays an important role. In the present article we review the knowledge of PCD in this important system.