Absorption of Copper, Zinc, and Manganese by Sugarcane Leaf Tissue

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Abstract
The absorption of Cu2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+ by leaf tissue of 4-month old sugarcane plants (Saccharum officinarum L., var. H53-263) has been investigated. After the “apparent free space” fraction was desorbed, the absorption of Cu2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ yielded a curve typical of many ion uptake processes when measured as a function of the external concentration. However, only 1 absorption mechanism was evident for each cation. The pH optimum for Cu2+ and Zn2+ uptake was 5.0 to 6.0, whereas that for Mn2+ absorption was 4.5 to 6.0. Absorption was competitively inhibited by H+, and this inhibition was reversible when 0.5 mm Ca2+ was present. Cu2+ and Zn2+ were absorbed through the same carrier sites, as concluded from their mutually competitive activities. Mn2+ was absorbed through a second, independent mechanism. Uptake of each cation was strongly inhibited by uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, by Amytal and Nembutal2, by 5 × 10−2m succinate, and by ADP and Pi. Absorption of Cu2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+ was concluded to be coupled to oxidative phosphorylation, and specifically to energy-conservation Site I.
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