Abstract
The respiration of maize roots was increased progressively and its content of labile nucleotide phosphate and organic phosphate compounds was depressed to a corresponding degree by poisoning with arsenate in increasing concentration. Synchronously with this its capacity for active ion absorption was inhibited. The results are regarded as proof of the operation of "energy-rich" phosphate compounds (adenosine triphosphate) in the performance of active (endergonic) ion absorption.