Uptake and Utilization of Phosphate Associated With Respiratory Changes in Potato Tuber Slices

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Abstract
Incubation of freshly-cut slices of potato in aerated water at 25[degree]C for 24 hours increased the respiratory rate 5 times and caused a 100-fold rise in the ability to take up inorganic phosphate from 10-5 [image] solution. In fresh slices esterification was slow, whereas aged slices exhibited a very rapid turnover of phosphate. At high concentrations (10-2 [image]) fresh and aged slices showed little difference in their capacity to utilize phosphate. It is apparent that active uptake can occur prior to the esterification process. Analysis of the cytoplasmic pool components indicates that only a small fraction of the cellular inorganic phosphate takes part in steady state metabolism.