Intercellular Transport and Cytoplasmic Streaming in<i>Chara hispida</i>

Abstract

The correlation between the velocities of cytoplasmic streaming and of translocation of 14C-photosynthate and 32P-phosphate associated radioactivity has been investigated in whole plants of the green freshwater alga Chara hispida L. Tracer was supplied to the plant's rhizoid system in a split-chamber. The velocity of cytoplasmic streaming of 52±3.3 μm s−1 compares with 57±10 μm s−1 found for 14C-transport and 32±20 μm s−1 found for 32P-transport. There was no indication of intercellular translocation at a velocity faster than visible streaming. Cytochalasin B inhibited the translocation of 32P and cytoplasmic streaming. Cytochalasin B becomes fully effective in inhibiting streaming and transport after an incubation time of at least 5 h.