ISSN:
1432-2285
Keywords:
Leaf movements
;
Mimosa
;
Osmotic mechanisms
;
Phloem translocation
;
Sucrose unloading
;
Turgor release
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary Mature leaves of Mimosa pudica L. or parts of them were exposed to 14CO2, and translocation was recorded by macroautoradiography. It was observed that considerable amounts of labelled photoassimilates were accumulated in pulvini when the leaf was stimulated. In non-stimulated leaves, no such accumulation of label was observed. Microautoradiographs of pulvinar regions of the non-stimulated leaf showed 14C- label restricted to the phloem. When stimulated, the 14C- label was unloaded from the phloem of the pulvini. Labelled photoassimilates appeared most concentrated in the walls of the collenchymatous cells and beyond in the extensor region of the motor cortex. There, label was accumulated in the apoplastic compartments. Stimulation causes a sudden phloem unloading of sucrose, and its accumulation in the apoplast lowers the water potential which eventually exceeds the osmotic potential of the extensor cells of the motor cortex. By removal of cytoplasmic water the motor cells lose turgidity which results in the closing movement of the leaflets, and — some seconds later — in the bending down of the petiole. In late afternoon night-stimulation triggers sucrose unloading in secondary pulvini. During phases of relaxation, labelled material is taken up by motor cells of the extensor, which concomitantly gain turgor.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00196974
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