Generative Cycles of Protein and Transaminase in the Growing Corn Radicle

Measurements have been made of growth rates, cell numbers, fresh and dry weights, protein and soluble nitrogen levels, and glutamic–aspartic transaminase activity in six successive 2 mm segments of the radicles of 3-day-old corn seedlings. The measured quantities of protein and enzyme activity are related to the stage of average cellular development, to a linear distance scale along the axis of the radicle, and to the time scale. Increments per cell per hour during cell growth are therefore computed. An attempt is made to explain the significance of the genesis of the transaminase in the growth and development of the radicle cells, to the concurrent genesis of total and specific protein, and to other generative cycles.