Summary. The uptake of orthophosphate (32P) by excised corn roots, Zea mays L.was studied using roots grown on 0.2 mm CaSiO4. Nine concentrations of KH2PO4 from 1 to 256 /uM were used at temperatures of 200, 300, and, 400. Enzyme kinetic analysis was applied to the data obtained. Two apparent mechanisms (sites) o,f phosphate uptake were observed, 1 dominating at high P concentrations and 1 at low P concentrations. A Km of 1.36 X 10-4 and; a Vmax of 177 X 10-9 moles per gram of roots per hour at 300 was calculated for the mechanism dominating at high P concentrations. Similar calctlations gave a Km of 6.09 X 10-6 and-a Vmax of 162 X 10-9 moles per gram of roots per ihour at 300 for the mechanism dominating at low P concentrations. The Qlo for both mechanisms was approximately 2. Calculation of thermodynamic values from the data gave AF of -5200 cal, AH of -950 to -1400 cal, and a enthalpy of activation (A) of 10,300 to 13,800 cal per mole for the mechanism dominating at high P concentrations. Similar calculations from the data for the mechanism dominating at low P concentrations gave a AF of -7300 cal, AH of -10,700 to -8200 cal, and a A of 9300 to 18,900 cal per mole. If the dual mechanism interpretation of this kind of data adequately describes this system, then both mechanisms of P absorption by corn roots involve chemical reactions.Kinetic studies 'have lead to the postulation of a number of rather precise relationships with respect to the mechanism of phosphate uptake by excised barley roots (10, 14, 15). Most significant has been the interpretation that 2 apparent sites or mechanisms of P absorption are involved. The dual mechanism data have been initerpreted to imply separate sites for the absorption of the 2 phosphate ionic species, H2PO,9). Likewise, the enhancement of Ca2+ on P uptake is an important observation. The effect of temperature on absorption of orthophosphate by excised corn roots from solutions of a wide range of phosphate concentrations was examined to test the hypothesis that the apparent dual mechanism of phosphate uptake may be due to the combined action of physical and metabolic components. Enzyme kinetic analysis was applied to the data obtained and certain thermodynamic values were calculated.
Materials and MethodsSeeds of Zea mays L, var. OH10 X 51A X B8, supplied by the Department of Plant Breeding, Cornell University, were placed on pa-per towelling covering a 1.5 cm layer of acid washed sand in 33 X 22 cm pyrex baking dishes. The sand was moistened with 0.2 mnm CaSO4. Dishes were covered with saran wrap (punctured for aeration) and placed in an incubator in the dark at 230 for 90 to 95 hours.Roots (approximately 6.5 cm long) were cut off adjacent to the seed, blotted dry, and weighed into ,lots of approximately 1 gram for each treatment.They were then placed into 500 ml wide mouthed jars containing 0.2 mm CaSO4 and aeration tubes. The jars were placed in a temperature controlled water bath and allowed to come to equilibrium for 30 minutes. The CaSO4 solution was removed by suctio...