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Oxygen-induced free radical in wheat roots
B A Goodman1, D B McPhail, D J Linehan
1Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Free Radical Research Communications
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Wheat roots exposed to oxygen form free radicals. Copper (II) adsorption rapidly reduces these radical signals, unlike zinc or cadmium, suggesting a role for copper in radical decay.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Biochemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Exposure to oxygen can induce the formation of free radicals in plant roots.
- The precise identity of these oxygen-induced radicals in wheat roots remains unconfirmed.
- Simple oxygen-derived radicals like superoxide (O2-), hydroperoxyl (HO2.), and hydroxyl (OH.) are unlikely based on spectral data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of free radicals in wheat plant roots upon oxygen exposure.
- To explore the influence of metal ion adsorption on these free radicals.
Main Methods:
- Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) experiments were conducted on wheat plant roots.
- Roots were exposed to oxygen to induce free radical formation.
- The effect of adsorbing Copper (II) (Cu(II)), Zinc (II) (Zn(II)), and Cadmium (II) (Cd(II)) on radical signals was measured.
Main Results:
- ESR detected free radical formation in wheat roots exposed to oxygen.
- The spectral characteristics excluded common oxygen-derived radicals.
- Adsorption of Cu(II) by the roots caused a rapid decrease in the radical signal, reaching 10% of the initial intensity within minutes.
- Zn(II) and Cd(II) adsorption did not produce a similar rapid decay of the radical signal.
Conclusions:
- Wheat roots generate free radicals when exposed to oxygen, and these are not simple oxygen-derived species.
- Copper (II) plays a significant role in the rapid decay of these free radicals in wheat roots.
- The findings suggest a potential mechanism involving copper in mitigating oxidative stress in plants.