Variations in Zinc Content of Subcellular Fractions from Young and Old Roots, Stems and Leaves of Broad Beans (Vicia faba)

Abstract

Abstract 65Zn labelled seeds of broad beans (Vicia faba L.) germinated and grown in a complete nutrient solution containing the radioisotope were used to investigate the change in the subcellular distribution of this trace element during subsequent development of the labelled seeds. Homogenates of leaves, stems and roots were fractionated into cell‐wall debris, nuclei, chloroplasts, mitochondria, ribosomes and “soluble” fraction. The concentration of the radioisotope in these fractions, expressed as cpm/mg dry weight, was highest in the soluble fraction and in the ribosomes isolated from young tissues. However, as roots and leaves aged, a general decrease in the overall zinc concentration was followed by a similar drop in the concentration of the metal associated with the “soluble” fraction and ribosomes, causing a more or less uniform zinc distribution pattern. On the other hand, there was a general increase in the zinc concentration of the “soluble” and in the particulate fractions of relatively high sedimentation coefficient from older stem samples. Taking also into consideration the dry weight change per unit volume of the tissues under investigation, the relationship between these variations and the metabolism of the plant is discussed.