ANALYSIS OF THE HISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF PEROXIDASE RELATED TO THE DIFFERENTIATION OF PLANT TISSUES

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Abstract
Peroxidase is detectible in all tissues but is most reactive, in the basophilic cells of the histogens. Oxidation of applied phenols and aminophenols by peroxidase produces quinones and quinonediimines that are adsorbed by nucleic acids and other basophilic substances in the formative centers of primordia. Localized reactions for peroxidase occur in the axils of leaf primordia prior to bud formation and on the surface of apical meristems in a spiral pattern marking the points for the future development of leaf primordia. Peroxidase is detectible in advance of or accompanying cell division and declines after the division phase; decline of peroxidase at the end of the division phase is related to the increase of phenols, naphthols, and phenolases. Peroxidase declines in all tissues except the phloem; a continuous peroxidase system in the phloem connects primordia with adult tissue. The hypothesis is offered that the cellular units of the phloem peroxidase constitute a continuous system between primordia and adult tissue and is functional in catalyzing the reduction of hydrogen acceptors essential to cell division and the initiation of primordia.