Sugar Absorption and Compartmentation in Potato Tuber Slices*

Summary The uptake and utilization of [14C]sucrose, [14C]glucose and [14C]fructose by mature and immature potato tuber slices was studied. Both tissues absorbed [14C]glucose faster than [l4C]fructose but once absorbed, the hexoses were utilized similarly. In contrast, the greater part of the labelled sugars formed on administration of [14C]sucrose was sequestered at sites separate from the metabolic centres. Sucrose was taken up from the medium against a concentration gradient and transferred to metabolically inactive storage compartments without being hydrolysed either at the cell surface or at any stage during transit.