Interactions entre mitochondries et chloroplastes dans la cellule. III. Evolution des échanges gazeux des spores de Funaria hygrometrica au cours d'un séjour à l'obscurité

Abstract

In darkness, in an inorganic liquid medium the spores of Funaria hygrometrica demonstrate a rapid increase from low to high metabolism activity with mitochondrial respiration functioning at its maximal value. The spore respiration is high during a short period of time corresponding to the transformation of the proplastids into chloroplasts. Then, the spore respiration slows down progressively. This diminution is due to a rapid decrease of the general metabolism. Under these conditions, the germination cannot take place and the spores appear to return to a quiescent state.