Properties of Membranes from the HalophyteSuaeda maritima

Abstract

The fine structure and certain cytochemical properties of the shoots from the halophyte Suaeda maritima have been examined. No major fine structural differences were observed between plants grown in the presence or absence of salt. Considerable evidence of vesiculation was observed, particularly in cells of the stelar tissue from the stems. The specificity of the phosphotungstic acid-chromic acid stain for plasma membranes was examined and some doubt raised as to its widespread applicability as a plasma membrane marker in plant cells. The suitability of other membrane markers such as ruthenium red and ATPase activity were investigated.