The metabolism of aged seeds The formation of polyribosomes in the embryos of germinating rye grains of different viability

Abstract

Changes during seed germination in the cytoplasmic ribosomal fraction, the formation of polysomes and RNA synthesis in rye grain embryos of different age, were studied. Quantitative changes in embryo ribosomes accompanied seed aging. As the viability of the grain decreased, monosomes constituted an increasing proportion of the total ribosome content. The observed fall in RNA synthesis is considered a symptom of the deteriorative processes involved in seed aging.