Changes in Growth and Metabolism of Excised Pea Roots Associated With Iron Deficiency Ii. Changes in Nucleic Acids

Abstract

SUMMARYThe effects of iron deficiency on growth and metabolism of isolated pea roots grown in sterile culture have been further studied. Investigations at time intervals during a culture passage and by serial sectioning of roots at a critical stage of deficiency, have shown the distribution, concentration and composition of nucleic acids in relation to iron depletion. The significance of the results is discussed in relation to the primary role of iron in metabolism. It is suggested that the primary lesion resides in systems responsible for RNA synthesis. Formation of a soluble RNA fraction is inhibited, which in turn may cause failure to produce those enzyme proteins necessary for cell division and resulting in secondary disturbances which are a feature of the iron deficiency syndrome.