Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers
Published on: August 22, 2014
Influence of calcium on sodium and potassium absorption by fresh and aged bean stem slices
1Kearney Foundation of Soil Science, University of California, Davis, California 95616.
Abstract:
The influence of Ca on the aging processes of bean stem (Phaseolus vulgaris) slices and on the absorption of K and Na by fresh and aged slices was investigated. In the presence of Ca, fresh tissue showed a preferential Na uptake. The preference for Na over K resulted from a differential depressive effect of Ca on absorption of these two ions. In aged tissue Na uptake was also depressed, but K absorption was accelerated, with a net result of a much greater absorption of K than Na.The presence of Ca in the aging medium promoted the development of K-absorbing capacity as well as an increase in the rate of respiration but did not influence the loss of capacity to absorb Na as tissue aged. This, along with the demonstration that protein synthesis is involved in the development of K-absorbing capacity by aging tissue, suggests that Ca may have an effect on basic physiological processes concerned with development of ion absorption by aging tissue. The influences that Ca may have on the physical and physiological aspects of ion transport are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Salt Stress
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Methods for Studying Drug Absorption: In vitro
The diffusion cell method uses a two-compartment cell, including a donor compartment with the drug solution, which simulates the environment where the drug is applied, and a receptor compartment with a buffer solution, which simulates the environment...

