Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Measuring the Osmotic Water Permeability Coefficient Pf of Spherical Cells: Isolated Plant Protoplasts as an Example
Published on: October 8, 2014
Water permeability of plant cuticles: The effect of temperature on diffusion of water
J Schönherr1, K Eckl, H Gruler
1Lehrstuhl für Botanik, Technische Universität München, Arcisstraße 21, D-8000, München 2, Federal Republic of Germany.
Abstract:
The effect of temperature on water permeability of plant cuticles (astomatous Citrus leaf cuticles) has been investigated. The Arrhenius plot (logarithm of the permeability coefficient vs. 1/temperature) has two linear portions that intersect at 44° C. Evidence is presented to show that this intersection represents the solid/liquid phase transition of cuticular lipids. As the Arrhenius plot has only one phase transition in the temperature range of 5 to 80° C, it appears that all soluble cuticular lipids in the cuticle are present as a homogeneous mixture rather than as individual layers differing in composition. This view is supported by electron spin resonance evidence showing homogenous distribution of spin label fatty acids. The original distribution of soluble cuticular lipids is irreversibly altered by heating cuticular membranes above the transition temperature. This is accompanied by an irreversible increase in water peremeability, demonstrating the importance of the structure of cuticular lipids with regard to cuticular permeability.
More Related Videos
07:08Identification of Novel Regulators of Plant Transpiration by Large-Scale Thermal Imaging Screening in Helianthus Annuus
Published on: January 30, 2020
12:11Measurement of Leaf Hydraulic Conductance and Stomatal Conductance and Their Responses to Irradiance and Dehydration Using the Evaporative Flux Method EFM
Published on: December 31, 2012
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Introduction to Plant Diversity
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Tonicity in Plants
Tonicity
Tonicity describes the capacity of a cell to lose or gain water depending on the solute...
Tonicity in Plants