2003, Summer

Summer 2009 Mystery Image
Image by CJ Kazilek

This is one of our pictures of a single pollen grain. It was taken using a scanning-laser confocal microscope. These microscopes take many images of a sample at different depths. Each image, or as we call them slice, is saved and later the entire group of images are put back together using a computer. The final image has much more detail than a standard microscope. You can learn more about how confocal microscopes work at The Paper Project.

What is the purpose of  those "bumps" on the surface?

That's a good question. If they actually have a function it could be one of the following.

• They may be left over from the process that formed the pollen grains or may have to do with the way they were packed together.
• They may also have some quite prosaic, molecular level function like holding water (by capillary attraction) close to the outer surface of the grain long enough to allow hydration.
• They may be a method of "directing" the growth of the pollen tube on germination.
• They may be low frequency interstellar communication antennae.

We are not quite sure if they have a function. Maybe you will be the scientist that finds out.

 If you are curious, here are some numbers from our list of guesses. 

• 21% Brain or brain cell
• 18% Cell
• 11% Egg
• 11% Pollen
• 11% Virus
• 7% D.N.A.
• 3% Atom

Some of the creative single answers are listed below. 

• Ants underground
• The formation of DNA, the pink strands being the nucleotides
• A cell covered with flat worms
• Brain cells while watching color T.V.
• Part of the brain that detects color
• Maybe a virus or a type of sea animal that lives deep in the ocean and makes its own light. 
• It's the egg of a T. Rex in the mutational, evolutionary, stage as described by a fictional novel.

To download a computer wallpaper of this image, right click on this link or image and save it to your computer.