QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT OF THE VELOCITY OF WATER ABSORPTION IN INDIVIDUAL ROOT HAIRS BY A MICROTECHNIQUE

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A microtechnique which can be applied to quantitative studies of the absorption of water and solutes by individual root hairs is described. Data were obtained on the volume of water absorbed per unit time and the velocity of absorption per unit area of different root hair cells of the same root and of root hair cells of different roots. The maximum average velocity of absorption of tap water by hair cells of radish (Raphanus sativus) seedlings observed under the particular conditions described was 31 X 10-4 cu. mm./sq. mm./min. Data were also obtained on the distribution of the velocity of absorption along the longitudinal axis of individual hair cells; these data indicate a functional polarity of water intake.