Respiration and Embryogenesis in Cotton

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Abstract
Respiration rates as measured by oxygen uptake were determined for young stages of Gossypium hirsutum embryos, (globular through torpedo). Oxygen uptake increased as embryo size increased. However, when oxygen uptake was averaged on a per cell basis, the amounts decreased with development. Through the use of inhibition studies, characterization of the respiratory pathway was made. The tricarboxylic acid cycle was apparently the only pathway involved in the oxidation of substrates to CO2. Cytochemical localization of succinlc dehydrogenase activity revealed an association between enzyme activity and those parts of the embryo in which growth and differentiation were taking place. The shoot apex and other relatively quiescent portions of the embryo had characteristically low levels of associated enzyme activity.