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  • Title: Is water immersion useful for analyzing gravity resistance responses in terrestrial plants?
    Author: Ooume K, Soga K, Wakabayashi K, Hoson T.
    Journal: Biol Sci Space; 2004 Nov; 18(3):158-9. PubMed ID: 15858369.
    Abstract:
    Water immersion has been used as a simulator of microgravity for analyzing gravity responses in semiaquatic plants such as rice. To examine whether or not water immersion for a short experimental period is a useful microgravity simulator even in terrestrial plants, we analyzed effects of water immersion on the cell wall rigidity and metabolisms of its constituents in azuki bean epicotyls. The cell wall rigidity of epicotyls grown underwater was significantly lower than that in the control. Water immersion also caused a decrease in molecular mass of xyloglucans as well as the thinning of the cell wall. Such changes in the mechanical and chemical properties of the cell wall underwater were similar to those observed in microgravity conditions in space. These results suggest that water immersion for a short period is a useful system for analyzing gravity resistance responses even in terrestrial plants.
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