THE PHYSIOLOGY OF BASIDIOMYCETE LINEAR ORGANS

Abstract
Phosphate uptake as a function of external medium concentration has been determined for mycelium grown in the laboratory, segments of cords collected from the field and cords in the field for a range of wood-decay basidiomycetes. Hofstee plots in all cases can be interpreted as indicating the presence of two uptake systems. Uptake of phopshate by mycelium is reduced by increasing the concentration of phosphate in the growth medium from 10 .mu.M to 10 mM. The major portion absorbed by cords in the field remains within the segment exposed to radioactive solution, suggesting conversion of the phosphate to an immobile form unavailable for translocation.