Influence of hypoxia on protoplast structure in the plant cell

Abstract

An influence of hypoxia on the protoplast’s structure in the root tips meristematic cells of onion (Allium cepa L.) and of Tradescantia bracteata Small has been investigated. Hypoxia was caused either by respiratory inhibitors (sodium azide, 2,4-dinitrophenol), phosfon-D or by anaeroibic conditions. In both cases characteristic membranization of cytoplasm was observed. It appeared as spherical and parallel structures of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The observed hypertrophy was not connected with the increase of nucleic acids and proteins synthesis. In the examined cells the membranization was accompanied by an increase of the lipids content.