An Increase in Mechanical Extensibility during the Period of Light-stimulated Growth

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Abstract
The sporangiophore of Phycomyces [blakesleeanus] responds to a temporary increase in light intensity with a transient increase in growth rate that begins 2-3 min after the initiation of the stimulus and continues until approximately the 12th min. Tensile tests conducted on the stage IVb sporangiophore demonstrate that an increase in mechanical extensibility of the cell wall occurs 2 min after the initiation of a light stimulus and continues until approximately the 15th min. This finding supports the theory that light-stimulated plant cell expansion and rate of expansion is a function of the mechanical extensibility of the cell wall.