Abstract
The phosphorylated compounds present in wheat leaves have been investigated following their extraction from leaf tissue supplied with radioactive orthophosphate (P32). In addition to several glycolytic and photosynthetic intermediates, the compounds identified include the phospholipid constituents, phosphorylcholine, phosphorylethanolamine, and their L-α-glyceryl esters.Alkyl phosphates have been shown to appear as artifacts in extracts obtained by using alcohols as killing agents. A mechanism for their synthesis is discussed, together with their importance in the interpretation of data on the dynamics of phosphate metabolism in vivo.