Osmotically Induced Changes in Electrical Properties of Plant Protoplast Membranes

Abstract

The internal electrical potential of protoplasts from six different plant species was positive. Plasmolyzed cells of leaves had positive voltages of similar magnitude. Both Elodea leaf cells and tobacco protoplasts with regenerated cell walls became more electronegative during deplasmolysis. These findings suggest that cell turgor affects membrane components that determine cellular potential.