Polysaccharides of cell wall of wheat roots under extreme growth conditions

Abstract

Incorporation of radioactivity from 14CO 2 into various fractions and polysaccharides of the cell wall of wheat germ roots was analyzed after 40-min photosynthesis and subsequent 24-h growth. Radioactivity of cell wall polysaccharides was decreased by 50-70% during 10-day adaptation of isolated roots under extreme growth conditions. Pectines and alkali-soluble hemicelluloses of the cell wall can be used as reserved sources of endogenous nutrition of root cells during chronic starvation. Insignificant decrease in radioactivity of structural polysaccharides after 14-day incubation of isolated roots can be an indicator of cellular degradation (according to membrane potential).