Chlorophyll translocation

Michael.Chamberland (23274MJC@MSU.EDU)
Tue, 08 Oct 96 00:09 EDT

> > **************************************************************************
> > Leaves on trees turn colors in the fall as the chlorophyl breaks down, so
> > this the same thing in the land of CP?
> > **************************************************************************
>
> I believe the chlorophylL doens't actually break-down but rather
> is re-absorbed into the stem and, more importantly, the roots for
> safe keeping over the winter. Chlorophyll, I would think, is
> fairly expensive to make so I doubt the plants could possibly
> come back in the spring without a good supply in store.

> Dave Evans

Translocation of chlorophyll may be a hypothetically useful activity,
but I know of no evidence that it really occurs. I don't think chlorophyll
exists outside of the chloroplasts (in vascular plant cells), and the
chloroplasts themselves are not translocated. More likely the plant
translocates the breakdown products of chlorphyll and incorporates
them or energy derived from them in another chemical form for winter
storage. If chlorophyll was translocated one could expect to cut open
roots or other perennial structures and find them deep green in color...

On that though, one can cut open legume root nodules and find a red
coloration--it's hemoglobin! This oxygen-absorbing protein is produced
in the nodules, and by absorbing oxygen creates a favorable environment
for anaerobic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. CP's don't do this, but the
phenomenon may be interesting to fanciers of blood-thirsty plants :-)

Michael Chamberland