X-ray Microanalysis of Ion Distribution inAbutilonNectary Hairs

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Abstract
Robards, A. W. and Oates, K. 1986. X-ray microanalysis of ion distribution in Abutilon nectaryhairs—J. exp. Bot. 37: 940–946. X-ray microanalysis of frozen-hydrated Abutilon nectary hairs shows that potassium is present at easily detectable levels in all cells between the phloem and the trichome tip cells. There is little overall variation in the amount of potassium from cell to cell although it was found that: (i) some basal cells accumulate potassium to a significantly higher level than the hair cells; and (ii) there is more potassium in the cells towards the distal end of the trichome. These findings would be consistent with a model for secretion envisaging a trans-membrane loading of nectar into a ‘secretory reticulum’ in all trichome cells. This loading process would be selective and would exclude ions. A pronounced increase in the level of chlorine from the basal cell along the hair was observed. No complementary cation was detected but equivalent changes in the level of Na would have been below the detection limit of the system.

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