The Use of C14 in Locating Growth Regions in the Cell Walls of Elongating Cotton Fibers

Abstract

A technic involving the use of C14 in the study of cell wall formation in the cotton fiber was used to determine if the cotton fiber elongates only at the tip. After its introduction into the cotton plant in the form of carbon dioxide, C14 continued to be incorporated as cellulose in the walls of developing cotton fibers for a long period of time. After introduction of C14 into a cotton plant possessing partially elongated fibers, the entire cellulose framework of the primary wall became radioactive. It is concluded that cell elongation in the cotton fiber involves cellulose synthesis throughout the length of the fiber wall instead of at the tip of the fiber alone.