Metabolic Systems in the ‘Root’ of Brassica napus L.

Abstract

This is a study of the effects of possible intermediary metabolites on the respiration of root tissue from Brassica napus using the Warburg micro-manometric technique. It is concluded that ascorbic acid is oxidized by two systems, one of which appears to be a direct oxidase and the other a dehydrogenase. No evidence of peroxidase activity was secured. A substantial fraction of the total respiratory activity was insensitive to cyanide and azide. The biologically important organic acids were oxidized with the production of carbon dioxide. Glutamic and aspartic acids were metabolized with great rapidity, glycine and alanine much more slowly. A scheme integrating these results is outlined and compared with the respiratory systems existing in potato.