Biomaterial Database

On polar auxin transport in plant cells. 1990

M H Martin, and M H Goldsmith, and T H Goldsmith

Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742.

We present here explicit mathematical formulas for calculating the concentration, mass, and velocity of movement of the center of mass of the plant growth regulator auxin during its polar movement through a linear file of cells. The results of numerical computations for two cases, (a) the conservative, in which the mass in the system remains constant and (b) the non-conservative, in which the system acquires mass at one end and loses it at the other, are graphically presented. Our approach differs from that of Mitchison's (Mitchison 1980) in considering both initial effects of loading and end effects of substance leaving the file of cells. We find the velocity varies greatly as mass is entering or leaving the file of cells but remains constant as long as most of the mass is within the cells. This is also the time for which Mitchison's formula for the velocity, which neglects end effects, reflects the true velocity of auxin movement. Finally, the predictions of the model are compared with two sets of experimental data. Movement of a pulse of auxin through corn coleoptiles is well described by the theory. Movement of auxin through zucchini shoots, however, shows the need to take into account immobilization of auxin by this tissue during the course of transport.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007210	Indoleacetic Acids	Acetic acid derivatives of the heterocyclic compound indole. (Merck Index, 11th ed)	Auxin,Auxins,Indolylacetic Acids,Acids, Indoleacetic,Acids, Indolylacetic
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008433	Mathematics	The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Mathematic
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D010937	Plant Growth Regulators	Any of the hormones produced naturally in plants and active in controlling growth and other functions. There are three primary classes: auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins.	Phytohormone,Phytohormones,Plant Growth Regulator,Plant Hormone,Plant Hormones,Growth Regulators, Plant,Regulators, Plant Growth,Growth Regulator, Plant,Hormone, Plant,Hormones, Plant,Regulator, Plant Growth
D010944	Plants	Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of kingdom Plantae. Plants acquired chloroplasts by direct endosymbiosis of CYANOBACTERIA. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (MERISTEMS); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absence of nervous and sensory systems; and an alternation of haploid and diploid generations. It is a non-taxonomical term most often referring to LAND PLANTS. In broad sense it includes RHODOPHYTA and GLAUCOPHYTA along with VIRIDIPLANTAE.	Plant
D001692	Biological Transport	The movement of materials (including biochemical substances and drugs) through a biological system at the cellular level. The transport can be across cell membranes and epithelial layers. It also can occur within intracellular compartments and extracellular compartments.	Transport, Biological,Biologic Transport,Transport, Biologic