Tropes

Nature 03789.txt

Cell structure gives African fruit its iridescent huethe hue is caused not by pigment, but by light reflecting off tightly coiled cellulose in the fruit's cell walls. R. Fadenwhen the plant dies, the pigment in the leaves fades, but the fruit remains bright. P. J. RUDALLTHE fruits reflect more polarized light than any other known biological substance. Ref. 1a transmission electron micrograph of the fruit's cell walls shows the layered fine structure that gives rise to the brilliant colours. Ref. 1

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