Thermal Damage to Chloroplast Envelope Membranes

Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance was used to detect thermal injury to chloroplasts in vivo [Acer platanoides, Tilia curopaea, Carya ovata, Liriodendron tulipifera, Betula, papyrifera]. A lesion occurs in the cholorplast envelope membrane at temperatures between 53.degree.C and 57.degree.C, depending on species, leaf condition, and heating rate. The injury is associated with a sudden loss of water from the chloroplast.