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Spontaneous oscillations of extracellular electrical potentials measured on Lepidium sativum L. roots
Author(s) -
HECKS B.,
HEJNOWICZ Z.,
SIEVERS A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.1992.tb01464.x
Subject(s) - lepidium sativum , extracellular , elongation , chemistry , potential gradient , sativum , hypocotyl , biophysics , analytical chemistry (journal) , physics , horticulture , biology , materials science , ultimate tensile strength , germination , biochemistry , chromatography , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
. Electrical potential differences (PDs) were measured continuously at six points in line on the surface of primary roots of cress ( Lepidium sativum L.). The root‐to‐hypocotyl transition was used as the reference. A gradient of extracellular potentials existed along the root axis. The most negative potentials were observed at the root tip. Whenever the growth rate declined to 0·10 mm h −1 or less, the PDs were nearly constant in space and time. Otherwise, the PDs showed different types of changes with time. Roots with growth rates between 0·65 and 1·10 mm h −1 preferably showed PDs characterized by approximately sinoidal oscillations. Maximal amplitudes appeared in the middle of the elongation zone. Roots which were exposed to a N 2 ‐atmosphere exhibited a reversible disappearance of the electrical oscillations and a decrease in the PD‐gradient. Similar effects were obtained by the application of the metabolic inhibitor azide (N 3 − ). These results proved that the electrical oscillations are dependent on the aerobic cell metabolism.