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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium

Published on: December 17, 2018

Cadmium absorption and transportation pathways in plants.

Yu Song^1,2, Liang Jin³, Xiaojuan Wang³

¹a School of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou , China.

International Journal of Phytoremediation

|July 14, 2016

Summary

Plants utilize cellular mechanisms to manage cadmium (Cd) toxicity, controlling its uptake and transport to ensure food safety. Understanding these plant defense strategies is key to mitigating heavy metal contamination.

Keywords:

Absorption apoplast cadmium pathway symplast transportation

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Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements

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Real-time In Vivo Recording of Arabidopsis Calcium Signals During Insect Feeding Using a Fluorescent Biosensor

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Published on: August 15, 2017

Area of Science:

Plant Biology
Environmental Science
Toxicology

Background:

Excessive cadmium (Cd) accumulation in plants poses risks to food safety and human health.
Plants have evolved complex mechanisms to cope with Cd toxicity, involving uptake, transport, and sequestration.
Understanding these plant defense strategies is crucial for managing heavy metal contamination in agricultural ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms plants employ to control cadmium uptake, transport, and accumulation.
To identify key regulatory sites controlling cadmium translocation throughout the plant.
To explore the genetic basis of cadmium tolerance in plants.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on plant responses to cadmium exposure.
Analysis of plant physiological and molecular pathways involved in metal homeostasis.
Examination of transport mechanisms across root and shoot tissues.

Main Results:

Plants initially employ avoidance strategies like organic acid production, chelation, and sequestration to limit Cd entry into root cells.
Cadmium transport occurs via apoplastic and symplastic pathways through roots, stems, and leaves.
Specific sites in root and stem vascular tissues regulate Cd translocation, indicating a controlled movement.

Conclusions:

Plant resistance to cadmium involves both avoidance and tolerance mechanisms, suggesting a genetic basis for these heritable traits.
Effective control of Cd uptake and transport is essential for minimizing its toxicity in plants and ensuring food safety.
Further research into the genetic underpinnings of cadmium tolerance can inform strategies for developing more resilient crops.